Oman has a signed a joint development agreement aimed at creating a supply chain and shipping route to enable the Mideast Gulf state to export large volumes of liquid green hydrogen into northwest Europe from 2029.

The project aims to create the world’s first liquid hydrogen import corridor, connecting the port of Duqm in Oman, the port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and key logistics hubs in Germany, including the port of Duisburg.

The agreement was signed by 11 parties, including Hydrom, Oman’s national green hydrogen orchestrator; OQ, Oman’s global integrated energy group; steelmaker Tata Steel Nederland; German logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG; and Hynetwork, the hydrogen unit of Dutch gas network operator Gasunie.

2029 – Target date for exports

“This agreement represents a landmark moment in our commitment to clean energy,” said Sophie Hermans, Dutch minister for climate and green growth. “By linking Omani green hydrogen with Europe’s energy needs, we are advancing our shared climate goals and creating a sustainable energy pathway.”

Omani Minister of Energy and Minerals, Salim Nasser al-Aufi, added: “This partnership reflects Oman’s commitment to playing a leading role in the global green hydrogen economy, while strengthening ties with Europe to support its sustainable clean energy transition.”

Proven tech

The supply chain is expected to use proven technologies for the liquefaction, transport, storage and distribution of liquid hydrogen, including liquid hydrogen vessels designed by midstream CO₂ and liquid hydrogen services company ECOLOG. The vessel design ensures net-zero boil-off, eliminating cargo loss in marine transportation.

The agreement comprises several key components vital to the corridor’s progress. First, the development of a centralised liquefaction, storage and export facility at the port of Duqm, which is one of the hubs for Omani-produced green hydrogen. Second, discussions will be held on the pricing and delivery of liquid hydrogen to offtakers located in the broader Amsterdam area, as well as offtakers elsewhere in the Netherlands and Germany, with German utility EnBW as the aggregator.

The agreement also calls for the development of dedicated infrastructure throughout the corridor, including export and import facilities in the ports of Duqm, Amsterdam and Duisburg, as well as for several distribution modalities for gaseous and liquid hydrogen, most notably gas pipeline networks, rail connections and barge distribution leveraging the Netherlands extensive canal network.

---

Author: Stuart Penson