Signing of a memorandum of understanding for the development of the infrastructure of Port-La Nouvelle, a strategic hub for hydrogen and CO2

The aim of the protocol is to develop port and logistics infrastructures in Port-La Nouvelle dedicated to the future flows of clean molecules such as hydrogen, but also to those relating to CO2, and other alternative fuels or low-carbon by-products. The partners will collaborate on the feasibility assessment and design of these infrastructures, in close coordination with local stakeholders.

In collaboration with European projects such as the HySoW hydrogen corridors, or those related to CO2, these initiatives will connect the Port of Port-La Nouvelle to major hydrogen and CO2 transport infrastructures, thus strengthening its role in the energy transition.

The development of this port infrastructure will transform the port of Port-La-Nouvelle into a platform for the import and export of hydrogen, CO2 and low-carbon by-products. Eventually, hydrogen import capacity could reach 2 million tons per year.

SEMOP Port-La Nouvelle is the concessionaire of the port of Port-La Nouvelle, for which the Occitanie Region is the concession grantor. While The Region is a public partner within SEMOP, Euroports and DEME Concessions are industrial partners. Teréga, a long-standing player in gas transport and storage in the south-west of France, is thus investing alongside these players through this partnership.

The port of Port-La Nouvelle is expanding rapidly. At this stage, SEMOP has already carried out major extension work in deep waters, including the dredging of the port at 15.9m to accommodate large seagoing ships and the creation of more than 150 hectares of land area. In addition to these achievements, the construction of specialized jetties for the handling of liquid bulk is ongoing. This extension will be operational in 2026.

This partnership is fully in line with the REPOS strategy of the Occitanie Region, which aims to become a POSitive Energy Region and to meet 100% of energy needs with renewable energies by 2050. It will thus contribute to strengthening the industrial and energy attractiveness of the Region while promoting job creation.

The Occitanie Region: Owner of the port, the objective of the Occitanie Region is to make Port-La Nouvelle the port of energy transition in the Mediterranean, to become the first positive energy region in Europe by 2050. It will mobilise its agencies, in particular AREC and ADDOC, to support the project and facilitate dialogue with local stakeholders.

DEME Concessions NV: As a subsidiary of DEME, a global leader in maritime infrastructure and renewable energy, DEME Concessions oversees a diversified portfolio of business development, including offshore wind, marine infrastructure and green hydrogen (through its subsidiary DEME Hyport Energy).

Euroports: Specialist in the management of port terminals, Euroports will provide its logistics expertise for the development and day-to-day management of port infrastructure. The presence of Euroports will make it possible to structure port services and the operational management of facilities, in line with the objectives of transport and storage of new energies.

Teréga: Teréga, a long-standing player in gas transport and storage. Its expertise covers the design and development of the infrastructure needed for renewable gas, hydrogen and CO2.