Anyone walking through the Port of Rotterdam today can sense an industry in rapid transition. Where fossil energy once dominated, a new landscape is emerging—one in which hydrogen, innovation, and international collaboration take center stage. The same energy is felt in Chile. With exceptional natural conditions, a forward-looking national strategy, and a growing ambition to become a global leader in green hydrogen, Chile is positioning itself for the future. It is precisely this shared ambition that lies at the heart of the Partners for International Business (PIB) program that has connected the Netherlands and Chile over the past three years.

Through this PIB program, Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and public partners join forces to work structurally with Chilean governmental bodies and the local private sector. The objective is clear: to accelerate the development of a robust hydrogen value chain—spanning production, storage, logistics, and application. Rotterdam Partners has taken on the coordinating role within the program, a responsibility that will be confidently handed over to Rianne Vriend-Vrijenhoef, Business Manager Energy and Chemistry at Rotterdam Partners, as of 1 January. She will continue to lead the program with fresh energy and experience in the coming year.

The collaboration now goes far beyond knowledge exchange alone. Arcadis, Gasunie, North Sea Port, Port Consultants Rotterdam, Impact Hydrogen, Port of Rotterdam, Proton Ventures, Soluforce and VOPAK work actively through the PIB cluster on strategic projects, sharing best practices and contributing concrete solutions for the hydrogen infrastructure of the future. The strength of the program lies in its long-term character: it provides a platform where public and private partners can find, understand, and reinforce each other over multiple years.

From a port and private-sector perspective, one of the most critical enablers of a successful hydrogen economy is shared infrastructure. The experience of the Port of Rotterdam clearly demonstrates that large-scale energy transitions cannot be built on isolated, company-specific assets alone. Shared pipelines, terminals, storage facilities, and port infrastructure enable faster deployment, lower costs, reduced risks, and more efficient use of space and capital. For hydrogen and its derivatives in particular, shared infrastructure is not only a technical solution, but a strategic choice that supports scalability, safety, and long-term competitiveness.

Against this backdrop, the launch of the results of the knowledge to knowledge Study on Shared Infrastructure marks an important milestone within the PIB program. The study provides valuable insights into how shared infrastructure can support the production and export of hydrogen derivatives, and how public and private actors can jointly design systems that are robust, flexible, and future-proof. The findings offer concrete guidance for Chile as projects move from concept to implementation, while also reflecting lessons learned in Rotterdam and other European ports.

At the same time, the study has sparked an important dialogue within the PIB cluster. The participating companies clearly recognize that shared infrastructure is essential to unlock scale and accelerate market development. Cluster partners recognize that shared infrastructure is the backbone of a competitive hydrogen market., and that by investing collectively rather than individually, we create systems that are scalable, bankable, and attractive for international trade in hydrogen derivatives.

Chile is standing at the threshold of an unprecedented opportunity. With its vast renewable energy potential—from the sun in the Atacama Desert to the wind in Patagonia—the country can become one of the world’s most competitive producers of green hydrogen. At the same time, the experience gained in the Netherlands, particularly in Rotterdam, offers valuable insights to help shape this transition in a reliable, scalable, and safe way. It is exactly this combination of capability and knowledge that makes the collaboration so promising.

Looking ahead to 2026, we see a period filled with momentum. Hydrogen projects in Chile are moving ever closer to realization, the international market is evolving, and the demand for technical expertise, logistics solutions, port development, and system integration is growing rapidly. As a PIB cluster, we are ready to continue offering our knowledge, infrastructural experience, and networks to support Chile in building a sustainable hydrogen economy with global impact.

It is inspiring to witness how two countries, located on opposite sides of the world, strengthen one another on a topic that is more global than ever. Hydrogen is not a national challenge; it is an international movement. By working together—across public and private sectors, across local and international boundaries—we create an ecosystem that is future-proof and full of economic opportunity for both nations.

In the year ahead, we aim to continue embracing our role from the Netherlands as a partner, a source of knowledge, and an innovative ally. With a strong foundation and an expanding network, we look ahead with great enthusiasm. The hydrogen economy of the future is not built in one place—it is built together.

The author is responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of the content presented in this opinion column. The platform and the editor assume no responsibility for any error, omission, or inaccuracy in the information provided.