EU support targets the whole hydrogen value chain

Applications have opened under the 2026 Project Development Assistance (PDA) call from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, offering specialist consultancy to help complex projects reach final investment decision.

The scheme targets so-called Hydrogen Valleys, integrated projects combining production, storage, transport and end-use, with a minimum €30m capital threshold and multi-sector participation.

Strategic opportunity

For ports and terminals, the PDA presents a strategic opportunity to position port projects at the centre of emerging hydrogen infrastructure ecosystems.

Rather than pursuing standalone upgrades, operators can use the programme to structure and de-risk projects that link port-based hydrogen production, industrial demand, hinterland distribution and maritime applications such as bunkering.

This model reinforces the role of ports as aggregation and distribution hubs within the hydrogen value chain.

By acting as consortium leaders or core partners, ports can leverage PDA support to develop bankable business cases, align stakeholders and navigate regulatory complexity – key barriers to scaling hydrogen infrastructure.

However, the scheme does not provide direct capital funding and excludes isolated assets, meaning ports must collaborate across sectors including energy, industry and mobility to qualify.

Early-stage port projects may therefore need to evolve into broader regional platforms to access support.

Further details are available from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and https://pda.h2v.eu/en 

Research indicates that enhanced hydrogen supply strategies, cross-border collaboration and targeted investment in alternative fuels and port infrastructure could deliver widespread opportunity and sustainability benefits across the port sector going forward.