Acwa, the world’s largest private water desalination company and a trailblazer in energy transition and green hydrogen, has signed a landmark MoU with EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, ROSTOCK PORT GmbH, and VNG AG.
The agreement, witnessed by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Energy, and Katherina Reiche, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, will establish a green ammonia export corridor from Acwa’s Yanbu project to the Port of Rostock. VNG plans to convert the ammonia into green hydrogen for injection into Germany’s national core network.
The ammonia, processed by VNG’s upcoming cracker facility, will support Germany’s efforts to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors while opening a strategic gateway to the German market.
Acwa, with EnBW’s support, is leading the development of the green hydrogen and ammonia production site in Yanbu, targeting commercial operations by 2030. A Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for process plants is on track for completion by mid-2026. Acwa is also exploring potential co-development and co-investment opportunities for ammonia infrastructure in Germany.
Marco Arcelli, CEO of Acwa, said: “This MoU with EnBW, Rostock Port, and VNG represents a pivotal step in forging a reliable green ammonia export corridor from Saudi Arabia to Germany. It leverages Acwa’s Yanbu hub, where we lead development with support from EnBW, to deliver scale for Europe’s hydrogen needs, with processing at Rostock for core network injection. These assets accelerate global decarbonization, bolster energy security, and affirm our role as Saudi Arabia’s green molecules champion.”
Georg Stamatelopoulos, CEO of EnBW, added: “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is an important move for all partners involved. By working together with Acwa, Rostock Port, and VNG, we are taking a step toward building a reliable green ammonia corridor from Saudi Arabia to Germany.
"International partnerships like this are essential if we want to advance and make the transformation of the energy system affordable and bring innovative solutions to market. Each partner brings complementary strengths, and by working together, we are able to address challenges more effectively than we could individually.”
Under the agreement, EnBW will act as offtaker of green ammonia from Yanbu and manage its delivery to the Port of Rostock, which will serve as port operator. VNG will progress plans for an ammonia cracker near the port to convert the imported green ammonia into green hydrogen for German customers.
Jens Scharner, Managing Director of ROSTOCK PORT, said: “The signing of this agreement marks a significant milestone in developing a hydrogen economy between our countries and represents a major step forward for Rostock’s energy port. By forming this cooperation, we are establishing a strategic, more efficient and forward-thinking framework for securing a long-term supply of green energy and further investment in Germany.
"We are delighted to be involved in these important energy projects and want to express our sincere gratitude to all partners for their excellent cooperation and trust in us.”
