Blog
23rd January 2025
A groundbreaking initiative has been launched to establish a green maritime corridor connecting Portugal to northern Europe, spearheaded by Madoqua and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). This ambitious project aims to revolutionize maritime logistics by incorporating low-carbon fuels and zero-emission shipping solutions, contributing significantly to global decarbonization efforts.
Collaborative Development of a Green Corridor
In late 2024, Madoqua, the Dutch-Portuguese renewable energy project developer behind the MadoquaP2X initiative in Sines, entered into agreements with government authorities in Portugal and Germany, as well as the port of Sines, the port of Rotterdam, and the port of Duisburg. This collaboration culminated in the concept for the Portugal-Germany green maritime corridor, which includes an envisioned investment of €500 million. The funds will primarily be allocated to developing export infrastructure at the Madoqua Green Fuels Terminal in Sines.
The project brings together a diverse range of global stakeholders, including financiers, terminal operators, R&D institutions, alternative fuel producers, and potential offtakers. These partnerships are critical for developing the integrated value chain needed to produce, store, transport, and utilize green fuels effectively.
Global industry leaders from Europe, Asia, and North America have banded together to support the development of the Green Corridor. Financial partners, terminal operators, academic and policy institutes, decarbonization-focused industrial corporations, green fuel producers, and alternative fuel off-takers are among those involved in the collaboration.
Companies that signed this MOU
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines: Driving Green Shipping Innovation
As the designated shipping logistics partner, MOL will facilitate the transportation of green fuels and liquefied CO2 along the corridor. The company also plans to promote the adoption of zero-carbon vessels, further reducing emissions from maritime transport.
MOL’s involvement aligns with its Environmental Vision 2.2, which emphasizes building business models to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The company’s role extends beyond logistics to include strategic insights into the operational requirements for green fuels, shaping the future of sustainable shipping.
Expanding Carbon Management and E-Fuel Infrastructure
A critical component of this corridor is the transportation of liquefied CO2, which will help establish a supply chain for carbon sequestration at Norway’s Gismarvik CO2 hub, operated by Horisont Energi. This facility forms part of an expanded European carbon management market, complementing existing efforts such as the Norway-Netherlands CO2 corridor launched by Horisont and ECOLOG in 2023.
Madoqua’s vision extends to developing large-scale green hydrogen projects in Portugal. These initiatives will produce green ammonia and e-methanol, stored and managed at the electrified Madoqua Green Fuels Terminal in Sines. This terminal will offer open access and ensure that operations are powered entirely by renewable energy.
Strategic Importance for Europe’s Climate Goals
The establishment of this green corridor aligns with key agreements between Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia and Portuguese governments, alongside commitments from major European ports. This initiative is expected to advance the European Union’s climate goals and strengthen the global green fuels industry.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
Marloes Ras, Chief Commercial Officer of Madoqua, emphasized the importance of integrated value chains in realizing the full potential of carbon management. “Energy transition is a journey, where partnerships are key to success. Developing new-generation facilities focused on producing e-fuels is just one piece of the integrated green fuel corridor puzzle.”
Co-CEOs of Horisont Energi, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen and Leiv Kallestad, highlighted their organization’s role in building a large-scale CO2 management market. “This is a recognition of our competence in this field and the potential of our planned Gismarvik CO2 hub in a European context.”
The Portugal-Germany green maritime corridor exemplifies the collaborative efforts needed to address the challenges of decarbonizing the global maritime industry. From Madoqua’s leadership in green fuel production to MOL’s innovations in sustainable shipping, the project integrates various components of the energy transition value chain. BlueQuark Research sees this initiative as a pivotal moment for advancing Europe’s climate goals while setting a global standard for sustainable logistics and energy management.