Oman,
the Netherlands Sign Agreements Covering Diverse Fields
Amsterdam,
15 Apr (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of the Netherlands today
signed three agreements: the first in the field of liquefied hydrogen, the
second a partnership agreement to study the development of infrastructure for
transporting hydrogen and carbon dioxide via pipelines, and the third a
partnership agreement with Dutch company “Royal Vopak”. This took place during
the “state visit” of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the Kingdom
of the Netherlands.
The Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for the
liquefied hydrogen corridor entails the establishment of the world’s first
commercial export corridor for liquefied hydrogen, linking the Sultanate of
Oman, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany. The
Sultanate of Oman was represented in the agreement by Hydrom, OQ, and the Port
of Duqm.
This agreement is a pivotal step in cementing
Oman’s position as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export, as well
as a strategic partner in enhancing global energy security.
Once fully developed, the corridor will serve as a
direct export route for liquefied hydrogen compliant with the EU’s Renewable
Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) standards—from the Port of Duqm to the
Port of Amsterdam, and onward to strategic logistics centers in Germany,
including the Port of Duisburg, for further distribution to other European
markets.
Under the agreement, Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom), as
the national coordinator for implementing Oman’s green hydrogen strategy, will
oversee production alignment with national plans and ensure the project’s
integration with the sector’s infrastructure and overarching strategy.
Meanwhile, OQ Group will develop the liquefied hydrogen terminal and associated
facilities, including storage and export infrastructure. The rapid growth of
green hydrogen projects in Duqm will enhance the corridor’s readiness and its
ability to contribute to national targets, leveraging the integrated infrastructure
of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) and the port’s strategic location.
The Joint Development Agreement aims for maritime
transport within this corridor to rely on specialized vessels equipped with
advanced technologies developed by ” Ecolog” to ensure highly efficient
liquefied hydrogen transportation. On the European side, the corridor will
focus on establishing liquefied hydrogen regasification terminals at the Port
of Amsterdam, after which industrial sectors in the Netherlands and Germany
will be supplied with hydrogen via gas pipelines, rail networks, and waterways.
In a statement, Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi,
Minister of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of Hydrom’s Board of Directors,
said: “This international cooperation is a strategic step in Oman’s
journey toward building a green hydrogen-based economy, linking our production
capabilities to global markets and reinforcing Oman’s readiness to lead the
sector.”
He added: “The significance of this agreement
extends beyond paving the way for a green hydrogen export corridor from Oman to
Europe—it reaffirms Oman’s confident progress in implementing its ambitious
green hydrogen strategy. The involvement of eleven companies from three
countries across the entire value chain—from hydrogen production and
liquefaction to transport, storage, and regasification—demonstrates the trust
Hydrom has gained in forming high-impact strategic partnerships, both within
Oman and abroad. This will contribute to establishing an integrated national
ecosystem and creating sustainable economic and developmental opportunities,
whether through sector-related industries, infrastructure development, or the
training and employment of local talent.”
For her part, Sophie Hermans, Minister of Climate
and Green Growth of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, stated that this agreement
marks a key milestone in Oman-Netherlands cooperation in clean energy. She
noted that the project will link Omani green hydrogen production to European
markets, supporting long-term strategic efforts to diversify energy sources and
enhance energy security.
The minister emphasized that Oman’s green hydrogen
sector is witnessing notable progress under a sound framework, making it one of
the most attractive regulatory environments for global investments and
partnerships.
She mentioned that contracts for green hydrogen
projects have been awarded to consortia comprising 22 international companies,
which have already begun development work in Oman’s Al Wusta and Dhofar
governorates.
She added: “Hydrom continues to advance
Oman’s green hydrogen strategy and is currently preparing to launch the third
round of public auctions for green hydrogen project sites, focusing on
mid-scale projects. This aims to align early-stage production with downstream
industries and strengthen the integration of Oman’s green hydrogen ecosystem,
including shared infrastructure, supply chains, and sector-related
industries.”
The agreement was signed by representatives from
eleven public and private entities from the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of
the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Meanwhile, the two additional agreements—the
partnership to study hydrogen and carbon dioxide pipeline transport
infrastructure and the partnership between OQ and Royal Vopak—represent
ambitious steps toward shaping a new future for Oman’s energy sector.
As
per the partnership agreement between OQ and Royal Vopak, OQ will spearhead the
development of Duqm in Oman as a premier integrated hub for hydrocarbons,
chemicals, and low-carbon products. This is a significant step for a strategic
alliance that aims to unlock future growth opportunities in industrial and
energy terminal infrastructure and sustainable energy transition facilities in SEZAD.
Leveraging
Vopak’s proven expertise to develop and operate large-scale infrastructure
projects, this partnership holds high prospects to drive economic growth,
attract international customers, create new employment opportunities, and
effectively serve all new projects requiring storage solutions in Duqm.
Highlighting
the significant impact of this partnership, Ashraf Hamad Al Mamari, Group CEO
of OQ, said: “This partnership is a catalyst for Duqm’s emergence as a globally
competitive energy hub. By aligning with Vopak’s international expertise, we
are unlocking a new era of strategic infrastructure investment that strengthens
Oman’s position in global energy flows, accelerates the energy transition, and
delivers long-term value for our economy and future generations.”
Dick
Richelle, CEO of Royal Vopak, welcomed this partnership, saying: “Vopak is
excited to collaborate with OQ Group on this strategic partnership in Duqm. Our
combined strengths in infrastructure development will be instrumental in
creating a leading energy and chemical hub serving multiple industrial
customers concurrently. We are excited to support Oman’s Vision 2040.”
This
strategic partnership is set to boost confidence and international interest, attract
world-class expertise and financing, align strategic goals and investments, and
provide access and networking opportunities to global talent.
The
agreements were signed on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman by Ashraf Hamad Al
Mamari, Group CEO of OQ, and Mansour bin Ali Al Abdali, CEO of OQ Gas Networks,
while the Dutch side was represented by Dick Richelle, CEO of Royal Vopak.
—
Ends/Khalid
