Historic Agreement Establishes World’s First Liquid Hydrogen Import Corridor Between Oman and Amsterdam
In a landmark development for the global hydrogen economy, a joint development agreement (JDA) has been signed to establish the world’s first liquid hydrogen corridor, connecting Oman, the Netherlands, and Germany. This pioneering initiative aims to enable the commercial-scale import of renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO) compliant liquid hydrogen to Europe.
The corridor will link the Port of Duqm in Oman with the Port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and key logistics hubs in Germany, including the Port of Duisburg. Eleven international partners are participating in this ambitious collaboration, including Oman’s national green hydrogen orchestrator Hydrom, energy group OQ, Dutch steel producer Tata Steel, German logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik, Dutch company Hynetwork, and terminal operator Zenith Energy, among others.
A central role is played by Port of Amsterdam and Ecolog, both proud members of the Hydrogen to Amsterdam (H2A) association. H2A is a public-private partnership focused on accelerating the development of import supply chains for green hydrogen through the Port of Amsterdam. This agreement aligns seamlessly with H2A’s mission of fostering international collaboration and building the infrastructure and partnerships necessary to establish Amsterdam as a leading European hydrogen hub.
The joint development agreement outlines:
- Infrastructure Development: Centralized liquefaction, storage, and export facilities in Duqm, along with import infrastructure in Amsterdam and Duisburg, enabling versatile distribution of liquid and gaseous hydrogen.
- Market Engagement: Discussions on pricing and delivery of hydrogen to offtakers in the Netherlands and Germany, with German energy company EnBW coordinating as aggregator.
Dutch Minister for Climate and Green Growth, Sophie Hermans, emphasized the strategic significance of this corridor:
“This agreement represents a landmark moment in our commitment to clean energy. By linking Omani green hydrogen with Europe’s energy needs, we are advancing our shared climate goals and creating a sustainable energy pathway.”
Oman’s 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.”
This initiative builds on foundations laid during COP28 in Dubai in 2023, where the Government of Oman and Hydrom signed initial agreements with the Port of Amsterdam, Zenith Energy Terminals, and GasLog to explore liquid hydrogen import possibilities.
As a platform, H2A will continue to support and connect key players like Port of Amsterdam and Ecolog in achieving the shared goal of creating a robust, future-proof hydrogen import supply chain. This agreement not only marks a historic step for the global hydrogen market but also validates the vision and work of H2A and its partners in making hydrogen import through Amsterdam a reality.