Oman has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to establish the world’s first commercial-scale liquid hydrogen corridor, linking the Port of Duqm with key European hubs in the Netherlands and Germany. The agreement supports Oman’s ambitions to become a major exporter of green hydrogen and aligns with efforts to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and transport.
The corridor will connect Duqm to the Port of Amsterdam and the Port of Duisburg, enabling the large-scale import of renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO)-compliant liquid hydrogen to Europe. Companies involved include Hydrom, OQ, Tata Steel Nederland, ECOLOG, the Port of Amsterdam, EnBW, and others.
The agreement outlines the development of a liquefaction, storage, and export facility at Duqm, and coordinated infrastructure across the corridor, including pipelines, rail, and barge networks in Europe. Discussions are also underway on pricing and delivery to hydrogen offtakers in the Netherlands and Germany.
ECOLOG’s vessel technology, designed to eliminate boil-off during marine transport, aims to reduce cargo loss and improve cost-efficiency.
Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, noting that as a major potential buyer, the company can help accelerate the development of a green hydrogen economy in the region. He added that this effort not only supports the decarbonization of steel production but also fosters a broader ecosystem involving other stakeholders.
The JDA builds on earlier cooperation between Omani and European partners and targets initial hydrogen shipments to Europe by 2029.