Oman and the Netherlands have formalized three significant agreements aimed at bolstering collaboration in the clean energy sector. These agreements were signed during the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the Netherlands, as reported by the Oman News Agency. The first agreement focuses on the establishment of a commercial corridor for liquefied hydrogen, while the second outlines a partnership to explore infrastructure development for transporting hydrogen and carbon dioxide via pipelines. The third agreement is a partnership with Dutch company Royal Vopak.

The Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for the liquefied hydrogen corridor aims to create the world’s first commercial export corridor for liquefied hydrogen. This corridor will connect Oman, the Netherlands, and Germany, with Oman represented by Hydrom, OQ, and the Port of Duqm. This initiative is a crucial step in establishing Oman as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export, contributing to global energy security. Once operational, the corridor will enable the export of liquefied hydrogen from the Port of Duqm to the Port of Amsterdam and further to logistics centers in Germany, such as the Port of Duisburg.

Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) will serve as the national coordinator for Oman’s green hydrogen strategy, overseeing production alignment with national objectives and ensuring integration with wider infrastructure goals. OQ Group will lead the development of the liquefied hydrogen terminal and necessary facilities, including storage and export infrastructure. The initiative is expected to enhance the readiness of green hydrogen projects in Duqm, leveraging the integrated infrastructure of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).

The JDA also envisions the use of specialized vessels equipped with advanced technologies by Ecolog to ensure efficient liquefied hydrogen transportation. In Europe, the focus will be on establishing regasification terminals at the Port of Amsterdam to supply hydrogen to industries in the Netherlands and Germany through pipelines, rail networks, and waterways.

Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Oman’s Minister of Energy and Minerals and chairman of Hydrom’s Board of Directors, emphasized that this international cooperation is a strategic step in Oman’s transition to a green hydrogen-based economy. He stated that the agreement reaffirms Oman’s progress in implementing its ambitious green hydrogen strategy.

Sophie Hermans, the minister of Climate and Green Growth of the Netherlands, noted that this agreement marks a milestone in Oman-Netherlands cooperation in clean energy, supporting efforts to diversify energy sources and enhance energy security.

The agreements were signed by representatives from eleven public and private entities from Oman, the Netherlands, and Germany. The additional agreements include a study on hydrogen and carbon dioxide pipeline transport infrastructure and a partnership between OQ and Royal Vopak. OQ aims to develop Duqm as a premier integrated hub for hydrocarbons, chemicals, and low-carbon products, unlocking future growth opportunities.

Ashraf Hamad Al Mamari, group CEO of OQ, highlighted the partnership’s significant impact, stating that it serves as a catalyst for Duqm’s emergence as a globally competitive energy hub. Dick Richelle, CEO of Royal Vopak, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with OQ Group, emphasizing their combined strengths in infrastructure development to create a leading energy and chemical hub.