Port of Hirtshals competes for prestigious, green recognition at ESPO Award 2024
One of Northern Europe’s most visionary maritime initiatives:
Nine European ports are in the running for the renowned ESPO Award, with the winner being crowned in early November 2024. This year’s award goes to the circular economy project that has the greatest benefit for the surrounding community. With the ambition of establishing one of Europe’s largest CO2 hubs, the management at Port of Hirtshals is hopeful of bringing the prestigious award home to Northern Jutland.
Greenport Scandinavia CCUS Hub is the name of the ambitious project that Port of Hirtshals is presenting for the ESPO Award 2024. The project is one of Northern Europe’s most visionary initiatives in CO2 export and import, aiming to capture, utilize, and store more than 15,000,000 tons of CO2 annually by 2031.
At Port of Hirtshals they are optimistic that Greenport Scandinavia will impress the ESPO Award jury.
- We are proud to represent a project that underlines Port of Hirtshals’ purposeful work with circularity. There is tough competition among the nine participating ports at the ESPO Award, with many impressive projects in the field of circular economy. But we are hopeful that our CCUS project will bring the award home to Hirtshals, says Per Holm Nørgaard, CEO at Port of Hirtshals.
Strategic location for CCUS initiatives
Greenport Scandinavia is the result of a strong collaboration between Port of Hirtshals and its partners INEOS Energy, Wintershall Dea, Evida, Biocarb Solution, Greenport North, and Aalborg Portland. The project is one of the most forward-thinking CCUS initiatives in Northern Europe, aiming to capture, store, and export large quantities of CO2.
The strategic location in Hirtshals provides the project with a unique advantage, enabling it to handle CO2 storage both offshore in former oil and gas fields of the North Sea and onshore. The project also fosters the growth of new green industries in the city, contributing to a sustainable future.
Honors a project that benefits the local community
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) will award this year’s ESPO Award to a European port that has made a remarkable contribution to the circular economy and social integration within the local community. This is the 16th edition of the competition, and the award represents a significant recognition of the winning port's circular efforts and positive impact on all stakeholders involved in the project.
- The ESPO Award is primarily symbolic – but it is a powerful symbol, says Per Holm Nørgaard, and continues: It can underline Port of Hirtshals’ inspirational, environmental work for other European ports while also emphasizing the importance of our work with Greenport Scandinavia.
In addition to Port of Hirtshals, the following ports are participating in the ESPO Award 2024: Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium), Port of Gdansk (Poland), Port of Bilbao (Spain), Port Authority of Castellón (Spain), Port Authority of Huelva (Spain), Port of Las Palmas (Spain), Port of Sevilla (Spain), and Gothenburg Port Authority (Sweden).
The award will be presented at a ceremony in Brussels on November 6, 2024, where an international jury will select the winner.
Facts about ESPO Award
- The ESPO Award, first presented in 2009, celebrates innovative projects that enhance the relationship between the city and the port, as well as social integration.
- The award is presented by the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO).
- The winner is awarded a painting by the Dutch port painter Sasja Hagens.
Facts about Greenport Scandinavia CCUS Hub
- The project consists of seven main partners: Biocarb Solution, Wintershall Dea, Greenport North, Aalborg Portland, INEOS Group, Evida, and Port of Hirtshals.
- CCUS stands for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage.
- Greenport Scandinavia was established in December 2022 with a focus on creating a complete end-to-end CCUS value chain from CO2 emission to permanent storage.
- The project has already received a €14.6 million grant from the European Commission’s Just Transition Fund.
- The first CO2 vessel is expected to depart from Port of Hirtshals in 2026.