JERA Nex BP, a joint venture between UK energy major BP and Japan’s largest power company JERA, has officially commissioned a new hydrogen bunkering station in the Port of Ostend, Belgium.
During the demonstration phase in 2025, the facility will initially serve the hydrogen-powered service vessel Hydrocat 48, owned and operated by Windcat. However, the station has the capacity to refuel several vessels per day, bridging a critical gap in the hydrogen supply chain for maritime operations.
⚡️ A Major Step Toward Maritime Decarbonization
The Ostend hydrogen bunkering station represents a vital link between hydrogen production and end-users at sea, demonstrating the potential of clean hydrogen to decarbonize offshore wind operations.
Hydrogen-powered vessels like the Hydrocat 48 are designed specifically for offshore wind farm service and maintenance, significantly reducing carbon emissions from support fleets.
JERA Nex BP also operates the 165 MW Nobelwind offshore wind farm, located 47 km off the coast of Ostend. Commissioned in 2017, the project consists of 50 wind turbines supplying renewable electricity to the grid.
🧩 Collaboration and Technology
The development and demonstration of the project were led by JERA Nex BP in collaboration with over ten industrial and research partners, supported by the Port of Ostend.
Haskel acted as the main contractor, overseeing construction and technical execution. The green hydrogen used at the station is produced from renewable electricity supplied by Lhyfe in France and Germany.
🌊 Innovation and Sustainability
As part of its broader R&D strategy, JERA Nex BP is advancing multiple innovations to improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of offshore operations. These include:
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predictive maintenance systems for offshore infrastructure,
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integration of aquaculture within offshore projects,
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and the use of lightweight materials in shipbuilding.
“By investing in projects like this, we accelerate the transition toward cleaner and smarter offshore operations — proving that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand,” said Christophe Verlinden, Head of Global Operations and Maintenance at JERA Nex BP.
