SEP Co-Hosts Global Hydrogen Trade Initiative in Houston

Saoradh Enterprise Partners (SEP) led this annual event on March 23, 2026, in association with Gulf Energy Catalyst (GEC) and co-hosts Stanford University's Center for Fuels of the Future and EPRI. Participants included Fortune 1000 companies from the US, Western Europe, Japan, and Korea, alongside key startups and representatives from major ports, traders and shippers, finance groups, and government/CfD agencies across these regions.

As global demand for clean hydrogen and its derivative fuels accelerates—particularly in Western Europe and parts of Asia—the North American Gulf, West, and East Coasts are uniquely positioned to become critical hubs for hydrogen-derived product exports, bunker fuels for ships, and the transition of port equipment to hydrogen use. Seizing this opportunity starts with understanding existing assets and demand, identifying gaps and forecasts, and aligning industry and investment efforts toward coordinated action.

Held at EY's Houston office, the gathering brought together producers, utilities, midstream and equipment companies, energy traders, terminal operators, port authorities, and investors to share fresh perspectives on the future of clean hydrogen and its derivatives, along with the rapidly evolving global trade flows shaping the industry. The dialogue surfaced valuable insight into emerging dynamics in global hydrogen trade and underscored the urgency of advancing clean energy collaboration worldwide.

Co-hosting the roundtable event were Brett Perlman (Gulf Energy Catalyst), Steven Panova (EPRI), and Naomi Boness, Ph.D. (Stanford University's Center for Fuels of the Future), and our own Paul Alan Nelson (SEP), who led this timely global conversation.