Marrakech – Jan De Nul Group, a global leader in marine construction, and Fortescue, a world-leading green technology, energy and metals company, have signed an agreement to collaborate on the transport of green electrons from energy-producing continents to energy-demanding ones through subsea cables.
The partnership aims to provide the necessary resources for the shipping and subsea cable laying capability of green electrons from North Africa to Europe.
The agreement was signed yesterday in Rabat by Fortescue Chairman, Andrew Forrest, and Jan De Nul Executive Chairman, ir. Jan Pieter De Nul.
This collaboration is expected to bring substantial benefits to both North Africa and Europe in terms of employment, economic growth, and providing citizens with a choice to use fuels made using green energy.
Jan Pieter De Nul, CEO of Jan De Nul Group, stated, “It is clear that the electrification transition is happening worldwide. Direct transport and consumption of green electrons is one of the most efficient ways to help reduce the total energy needs of the world.”
He added, “With our know-how, highly skilled and motivated staff and crew, and our versatile fleet of construction vessels including five of the world’s cutting edge subsea cable laying vessels, we are ready to construct the energy transition.”
The partnership builds on the joint venture between Fortescue and OCP to supply green hydrogen, ammonia, and fertilizers to Morocco, Europe, and international markets.
This includes exploring the potential development of manufacturing facilities and an R&D hub to advance the rapidly growing renewable energy industry in Morocco. The OCP Fortescue joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Read also: Morocco’s Potential as Europe’s Hydrogen Supplier Faces Challenges
Andrew Forrest, Fortescue’s Chairman, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. “There is a massive opportunity to send renewable electrons from Morocco and North Africa to Europe to industries and consumers who deserve a better choice than the only one they currently have available – carbon emitting, global warming causing fossil fuels,” he said.
“Europe, under EU rules, will impose carbon taxes globally through its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on industries that fail to convert energy supplies to renewable energy. Fortescue believes a lack of cable laying capability is creating a bottleneck in connecting Morocco to Europe, making this pursuit with Jan De Nul one the most outstanding opportunities we have across the world.”
Fortescue and Jan De Nul have a relationship spanning more than 20 years, collaborating to create the world’s most efficient port in terms of loading throughput at Port Hedland, Western Australia. This new partnership marks a significant step towards a greener future, enabling the efficient transport of renewable energy across continents.
