Latest news with #BoudewijnSiemons
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Navy vessels shadow Russian ships in UK waters
Royal Navy warships and helicopters have shadowed five Russian vessels in UK waters over the first week of July alone, as Vladimir Putin continues to test Britain's defence capabilities. Plymouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke, Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Tyne and Wildcat aircraft from 815 Naval Air Squadron were dispatched on three separate operations in the North Sea and English Channel between July 1 and today. The warships worked closely with NATO allies as they kept constant watch on the Russian vessels, including two Steregushchiy-class corvettes, a tanker, bulk carrier and a Smolnyy-class training ship, as they passed through UK waters. 'This all took place as allied nations took part in a significant exercise in Portland aimed at helping Ukraine make the Black Sea safe,' the Royal Navy said in a statement. Boudewijn Siemons, chief executive of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, told the Financial Times that it was planning how to manage if the port was flooded by British and US vehicles and supplies if needed. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that while Europe is not currently at war, it is not at peace either. Russia has been accused of acts of sabotage, cyberattacks and fake news campaigns, designed to weaken European support for Ukraine, according to officials. Last week, one of Putin's deadly attack submarines was also shadowed by the Royal Navy off the English coast. The RFN Novorossiysk, a heavily armed Kilo-class sub, was detected as it made its way through the North Sea and into the English Channel. Patrol ship HMS Mersey, based in Portsmouth, was scrambled to intercept the Russian boat, w hile a Wildcat helicopter and specialist submarine-hunting Merlin aircraft from 824 Naval Air Squadron were also deployed in the air. Many European leaders insist they have heard the Trump administration's warning that American security priorities now lie elsewhere - in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. At a key summit last month, NATO leaders endorsed a statement saying: 'Allies commit to invest 5 per cent of GDP annually on core defense requirements as well as defense- and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.' That historic pledge will require them to spend tens of billions of euros more over the coming decade instead of the suggested five years. Spain - NATO's lowest spender with 1.28 per cent of GDP last year - quickly branded the target 'unreasonable.' Belgium has cast doubt over whether it will make the grade. Slovenia is considering a referendum. Heavyweights France and Italy are mired in economic woes and will struggle to get there too. Money spent on military support to Ukraine can now be included in NATO's defense calculations, but even that will not hike the GDP military spend by much. With the threat of Russian aggression in mind, the EU's executive branch has come up with a security plan. It hinges on a 150-billion-euro loan program that member countries, Ukraine and outsiders like Britain could dip into, and aims to fill gaps that the US might leave. Spending priorities for joint purchase include air and missile defense systems, artillery, ammunition, drones, equipment for use in cyber and electronic warfare, and 'strategic enablers' like air-to-air refueling and transport.
Russia Today
08-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Europe's biggest seaport preparing for potential conflict with Russia
The port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is preparing for a possible conflict between NATO and Russia by reserving space for vessels carrying weapons and making plans to host regular military drills, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Western European politicians have frequently claimed that Russia harbors aggressive intentions against NATO countries – accusations that Moscow has dismissed as detached from reality. The port of Rotterdam, which is the largest in Europe and handles over 460 million tons of cargo annually, would have a dedicated quay for NATO supply ships in the event of a conflict with Russia, something that was not the case even at the height of the Cold War, the FT said. The harbor is currently coordinating with the neighboring port of Antwerp in Belgium on how to manage cargo flows if multiple vessels with US, British, and Canadian military hardware and supplies would have to dock in the Dutch city, according to the newspaper. 'Not every terminal is fit for handling military cargo,' Boudewijn Siemons, chief executive of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, told the FT. 'If large volumes of military goods would have to be shipped, we would look to Antwerp or other ports to take over some capacity and the other way around. We see each other less and less as competitors.' According to Siemons, one or more ships would be docked at the quay for several weeks, four or five times a year. Rotterdam will also host several amphibious military exercises annually as part of preparations for a potential conflict, he said. The report comes amid a broader militarization drive among European NATO members. In an interview with the New York Times at the weekend, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that the bloc's recent decision to increase military spending to 5% of GDP was 'an enormous amount,' but claimed that 'if we do not [do this], we will have to learn Russian.' Russian officials have condemned the militarization push in Western European nations, urging them to support US-led peace initiatives for the Ukraine conflict instead of gearing up for war with Moscow. Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet that certain Western politicians are 'demonizing' Moscow and trying to portray it as 'an enemy to rally populations tired of social and economic problems.'
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
AM Green, Rotterdam Port partner for $1 bn India-Europe green fuel corridor
AM Green, backed by the founders of Greenko, has signed a pact with the Port of Rotterdam Authority to build a green energy supply chain between India and Northwestern Europe. The partnership would enable annual trade of 1 million tonnes of green fuels worth up to $1 billion, linking India's emerging green hydrogen clusters with Europe's largest energy port of Rotterdam. In a statement, the firm said it has signed a memorandum of understanding for "building a green energy supply chain between India and Northwestern Europe via Rotterdam, Europe's first energy port and a key hydrogen carrier's entry point". This includes the supply of bunkering fuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and analysing requirements for the development of terminal infrastructure in Rotterdam and along the supply chain to Northwestern Europe. The partnership will jointly support the development of strategic port infrastructure for safe distribution of hydrogen-based fuels and products, and link India's net zero industrial clusters to Europe, enabling exports of up to 1 million tonnes annually. "AM Green is pushing its ambitious goal to develop 5,000,000 tonnes of Green Ammonia production capacity by 2030, equivalent to about 1,000,000 tonnes of Green Hydrogen to meet the rising global demand for green fuels, with initial production starting in Kakinada," it said. On the other hand, the Port of Rotterdam plays a leading role as a critical logistics and hydrogen hub for the European continent, with some 13 per cent of the total energy demand in Europe entering via Rotterdam. Together, they aim to fulfil India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and Europe's ambitious decarbonisation goals. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said with India's vast potential for green hydrogen production, combined with Rotterdam's strategic location and advanced infrastructure, the collaboration will lead to a robust and sustainable green energy supply chain between the two regions. Anil Chalamalasetty, founder of AM Green and Greenko Group, said, "This partnership is part of our ambitious global growth strategy in green fuels, including 5 million tonnes per annum of green ammonia and 1 million tonnes per annum of SAF. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in establishing a global carbon-free energy ecosystem. It will enable the seamless movement of green molecules and fuels from India to Europe, reinforcing AM Green's position as a global clean energy transition platform and accelerating industrial decarbonisation globally." AM Green is set to begin production at its green ammonia facility in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, in the second half of 2026. The project - estimated to cost around Rs 12,500 crore - includes a green hydrogen unit and an ammonia conversion plant, both housed within a repurposed urea facility acquired earlier this year. Phase-1 production of 1 million tonnes of green ammonia at the Kakinada plant is primarily targeting export markets in Europe. AM Green has already signed offtake agreements with major buyers, including Uniper, Yara, and Keppel, supporting a range of green hydrogen applications. In January, the company joined forces with global logistics giant DP World to develop advanced storage and export infrastructure in India and overseas, strengthening its drive to expand into international green fuel markets.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
AM Green and Port of Rotterdam Authority sign MoU to build green energy corridor
AM Green—a venture of the Greenko Group—and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Rotterdam to build a green energy supply chain corridor between India and Northwestern Europe via Rotterdam, Netherlands. Anil Chalamalasetty, Founder of AM Green and the Greenko Group, and Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, formalised the commitment Mr. Anil Chalamalasetty said: 'The collaboration marks a significant milestone in establishing a global carbon-free energy ecosystem. It will enable the seamless movement of green molecules and fuels from India to Europe.' AM Green has also proposed to establish a green ammonia project in Kakinada.
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
AM Green and Port of Rotterdam Authority to Establish Green Energy Supply Chain Enabling up to 1,000,000 tons per year / USD 1 Billion Trade Between India and Europe
Sign collaboration agreement for development of green fuels bunkering market, terminal infrastructure, and Port Development for Net Zero Industrial Clusters. HYDERABAD, India and ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AM Green and the Port of Rotterdam Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding to focus on building a green energy supply chain between India and Northwestern Europe via Rotterdam, Europe's first energy port and a key hydrogen carriers entry point. This includes the supply of bunkering fuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and analysing requirements for the development of terminal infrastructure in Rotterdam and along the supply chain to Northwestern Europe. Furthermore, the partnership will jointly support the development of strategic port infrastructure for safe distribution of hydrogen-based fuels and products, and link India's Net Zero Industrial Clusters to Europe, enabling exports of up to 1,000,000 tons annually. The envisaged supply chain can enable trade of green fuels up to USD 1 Billon between the two economies. AM Green is pushing its ambitious goal to develop 5,000,000 tons of Green Ammonia production capacity by 2030, equivalent to about 1,000,000 of Green Hydrogen to meet the rising global demand for green fuels, with initial production starting in Kakinada, On the other hand, the Port of Rotterdam plays a lead role as a critical logistics and hydrogen hub for the European continent with some 13% of the total energy demand in Europe entering via Rotterdam. Together, they aim to fulfil India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and Europe's ambitious decarbonization goals. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, stated,"We are delighted to collaborate with AM Green BV to further strengthen our commitment to the energy transition. This agreement marks an important step towards establishing a robust supply chain for low-carbon fuels and chemicals. With India's vast potential for green hydrogen production, combined with Rotterdam's strategic location and advanced infrastructure, the collaboration will lead to a robust and sustainable green energy supply chain between the two regions" Anil Chalamalasetty, Founder of AM Green and Greenko Group said,"This partnership is part of our ambitious global growth strategy in green fuels including 5 MTPA of green ammonia and 1 MTPA of SAF. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in establishing a global carbon-free energy ecosystem. It will enable the seamless movement of green molecules and fuels from India to Europe, reinforcing AM Green's position as a global clean energy transition platform and accelerating industrial decarbonization globally." About the Port of Rotterdam Authority: The Port of Rotterdam plays a vital role in the economy and security of supply for the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, the Netherlands, and Europe. Its strategic location, strong infrastructure, and excellent hinterland connections make it a key hub for global trade and industry. The Port of Rotterdam Authority focuses on sustainable development, efficient port operations, and safe maritime traffic. Its goal is to strengthen the port's role as a future-proof logistics and industrial hub, with a strong commitment to quality and the development of a climate-neutral port in harmony with its environment. About AM Green: AM Green, promoted by the founders of Greenko Group, is one of India's leading renewable energy conglomerates and a new energy transition platform. It leverages Greenko's expertise in building, owning, and operating renewable assets, as well as its ongoing development of mega closed-loop pumped storage projects that enables round-the-clock power supply at highly competitive rates. AM Green focuses on producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Green Ammonia, Green Hydrogen, Green Chemicals, and biofuels through its subsidiaries. With multiple projects across India, AM Green is committed to achieve 5 MTPA of green ammonia production by 2030, equivalent to 1 MTPA of green hydrogen, representing 20% of India's and 10% of Europe's green hydrogen targets. This initiative will significantly contribute to India's net-zero ambitions and support global decarbonisation.
