Oman's liquid H2 corridor a model for global hydrogen trade
A landmark agreement signed recently by Oman to establish the world's first trade corridor for liquid hydrogen (H2), marks a pivotal step in consolidating the Sultanate's position as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.
This was the central message of a recent article by Attaqa, a Washington-based Arabic-language platform dedicated to energy news and analysis. Titled "Exporting Liquefied Hydrogen Represents a Qualitative Leap for Oman and a Promising Opportunity for Middle East Countries", the article summarizes the views of several international energy experts who see the agreement as a model for global hydrogen trade.
The proposed Liquid Hydrogen Corridor will connect the Port of Duqm in Oman with the Port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, enabling the transport of liquid hydrogen deeper into Europe via logistics hubs in Germany and beyond. Key players in this groundbreaking initiative include Hydrom—the master planner of Oman's green hydrogen sector—and OQ, the Sultanate's integrated global energy group.
Oman's leadership in this transformative venture has earned international praise. Salah Mahdi, Global Director of Hydrogen at Chart Industries, a major player in hydrogen liquefaction and transport technologies, described the project as a "qualitative leap" that reflects a forward-thinking vision combining ambition and pragmatism.
By taking a pioneering role in this initiative, Oman is demonstrating its intent to go beyond exploring hydrogen potential and instead develop a large-scale, integrated value chain. The country is leveraging not only its abundant renewable energy resources and strategic geographic location but also its growing partnerships with European nations, he said.
'If this project is implemented well—and initial signs are promising—this corridor could become a global model for intercontinental hydrogen trade,' Mahdi told Attaqa. He called Oman's decision to adopt liquid hydrogen a 'strategic choice,' noting that liquefied hydrogen, like LNG, can be transported in bulk over long distances.
Mahdi highlighted the project's integrated system, which includes large-scale hydrogen production, advanced liquefaction, refrigerated container shipping, and regasification facilities in Europe. Such an ecosystem, he said, could serve as a clean energy artery linking the Middle East with Europe.
Chart Industries, he said, is currently collaborating with a number of developers in the MENA region to produce and liquefy hydrogen locally for eventual export to Europe. He noted in this regard that, as a pioneer in this field, Oman would set standards and establish infrastructure models for other Arab countries to emulate.
Matt Moran, Managing Director of Moran Innovation LLC, a leading player in hydrogen liquefaction, emphasized Oman's early leadership in the liquefied hydrogen sector. He cited the nation's abundant solar potential, low-cost land, trained workforce, existing gas infrastructure, and access to seawater and methane as significant advantages.
He also stressed the importance of learning from other hydrogen export projects, such as Australia's shipments to Japan, and highlighted Germany and the Netherlands as natural trade partners due to their strong demand, infrastructure, and LNG ties.
Frank Wouters, Chair of the Hydrogen Alliance for the Middle East and North Africa, noted that while liquefied hydrogen is gaining momentum, it's one of several viable transport methods—others include ammonia or liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Interest in liquefied hydrogen led to the recent creation of the Dii Liquid Hydrogen Taskforce (DLHTF) by Dii Desert Energy, a leading international public-private network focusing on green hydrogen. Wouters, who leads the taskforce, said its mission is to clarify the benefits and challenges of this emerging energy carrier.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
17 hours ago
- Observer
Italy fines Armani for ‘misleading ethical' statements
Italy's competition watchdog said on Friday it fined luxury goods giant Giorgio Armani 3.5 million euros ($4 million) for misleading consumers over dangerous conditions for workers making its bags and accessories. The watchdog sanctioned the Milan-based fashion group for 'misleading ethical and social responsibility statements that were at odds with the actual working conditions found at suppliers and subcontractors'. 'The companies made untruthful ethical and social responsibility statements that were not presented in a clear, specific, accurate and unambiguous manner', it added in a statement. It said Armani outsourced a 'large part' of its leather bag and accessory production to suppliers who relied on subcontractors. The watchdog cited cases in which 'safety devices had been removed from the machinery to increase production capacity, thereby posing a serious risk to the safety and health of workers'. 'Hygiene and sanitary conditions were inadequate, while workers were often employed totally or partially 'off the books''. The watchdog judged that 'respect for workers' rights and health did not correspond to the ethical and social responsibility statements' issued by the company. It said the brand was aware of the situation 'which seriously harmed the workers who produced Armani-branded leather bags and accessories'. The watchdog did not say where the workers were based. Giorgio Armani slammed the ruling, expressing 'disappointment and bitterness' in a statement. It said it would appeal the decision and vowed that it has 'always operated with the utmost fairness and transparency towards consumers'. — AFP
Observer
17 hours ago
- Observer
R&D centre of OIA-backed US tech venture planned in Oman
MUSCAT: US-based climate innovation tech venture Sense, known for its leadership in smart energy solutions, will establish a Research & Development (R&D) facility in Oman to support the deployment of its technology in the Sultanate of Oman. According to the Oman Investment Authority (OIA)—an investor in the Massachusetts-headquartered firm—the R&D facility is part of a broader initiative to localise Sense's technology for tracking energy consumption in the country. In August 2019, IDO Investments, the tech-focused arm of OIA, joined a group of leading international investors in a funding round for Sense. The US firm develops machine-learning-powered hardware and software that monitor household energy consumption and device usage in real time—helping users reduce energy waste. Commenting on its strategy to support the localisation of Sense's smart energy solutions, OIA stated: 'Sense conducted field trials in Oman to optimise the technology's performance and adapt it to local conditions. The company expanded its partnerships with local energy providers to enhance the national electricity grid's efficiency and strengthen its ability to meet growing energy demand. This partnership paves the way for establishing a research and development center in Oman, supporting the national economy and creating new job opportunities for Omani citizens.' A leader in climate-tech innovation, Sense's groundbreaking direct-to-consumer Home Energy Monitor initially reached over 100,000 homes in the US. The company has since expanded its reach by embedding its technology into smart meters—providing electricity providers with software that enhances grid management and customer engagement. Sense says its mission is to reduce global carbon emissions by transforming the relationship between people, homes, and the electric grid. To this end, it partners with meter manufacturers to offer utilities software that supports their electrification goals by making the grid more scalable and resilient. Its consumer app empowers users to make smarter energy decisions, lower electricity bills, and reduce their carbon footprint. In Oman, smart meters are playing a key role in helping rationalise electricity consumption by enabling modern digital infrastructure and giving consumers real-time access to their energy usage. Supplanting analog meters—prone to faults and billing errors—smart meters improve billing accuracy, collection efficiency, and customer satisfaction. With access to ongoing consumption trends, consumers can make informed decisions to reduce household electricity use. At the national level, utilities gain access to real-time data that enables better detection of losses, tampering, and power quality issues, while reducing operational costs and improving usage planning. Additionally, the underlying Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) supports time-of-day pricing and demand-response programs, encouraging consumption outside of peak periods. The Authority for Public Services Regulation (APRS) is overseeing the National Smart Meter Programme, which targets the installation of approximately 1.2 million smart meters by the end of 2025.
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
The quiet revolution as EVs charge ahead
I resisted purchasing an electric vehicle, or EV as they are known now, for years, for the most irrational of reasons: I couldn't stand the arrogance of Elon Musk and couldn't stand the thought that I may be contributing to his insane wealth and his wholly objectionable lifestyle. I don't think I've ever let someone, who I've never met and never will, get under my skin so much. And you must admit that his ubiquitous arrogance and supercilious entitlement, rank his face amongst the world's most 'punchable' But last week, I made the decision... and purchased my very first EV. It's not special, second-hand, of Chinese manufacture, it's an SUV with the higher driving position offering greater ease of entry and exit. Like all EVs, it's an automatic and has all the safer driving technology available in the marketplace today. I opted for an extended vehicle warranty and service contract with the dealership to minimise maintenance costs going forward and even though I'm still very much in the 'honeymoon' period, I'm enjoying being an EV driver. My purpose here is not to sell, or convince anyone to 'go electric', as such, but rather to ease you through some of the questions we all have as we consider 'yay' or 'nay', and in any case, I don't see the demand for petrol and diesel falling off a cliff overnight, as developing nations will be utilising both for many decades ahead, so don't worry Oman, the oil and gas industry will not disappear overnight and the Omani government has indicated that their forward planning towards an EV driven future is well in hand. Until recently, one of the greatest limiting factors facing EVs was vehicle cost. Of course, the earliest EVs were ridiculously expensive, two and three times the cost of conventional motors. However today, the difference is diminishing significantly, to around 30 per cent more and industry sources in the UK are expecting the growing market for EVs to result in a genuine levelling up between now and 2030. The latter date was to be the UK's final year in which petrol and diesel vehicles could be manufactured or sold new, though this date has been extended to 2035 to ensure sufficient charging infrastructure is provided. In fact, working towards the targeted 300,000 public charging points across the UK, by the July 1 this year only 82,002 all-access charge points had been commissioned. Balancing that, more than 1 million motorists have installed home fast-charger units which cost around RO 500 installed, or much slower trickle-charging three-pin chargers, affectionately termed 'granny-chargers', at around half that cost. Significantly, one major energy supplier is promoting discounts for electricity usage between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am, from 140 baisas per kWh, down to 35 baisas per kWh and with integrated app controls this is genuine economy. EV sales are rapidly accelerating across the major UK and European dealerships with more than one and a half million EVs now on the UK's roads, with half a million EVs sold during the 12 months to July this year alone. Change is afoot and I have graduated from an interested onlooker, to an enthusiastic advocate, a journey many more will take in the future. Motor industry CEO Carlos Ghosn says 'the time is not just right, but critical', and I guess he was speaking from marketing and environmental perspectives in the same breath, which could be seen as contradictive. However, what we should be thinking is that we were suspicious of and resisted, planes, trains and automobiles, computers, mobile phones, internet banking and the like, for decades... until we accepted their benefits outweighed the negatives. That's the thing about progress isn't it? Like time, it marches on, relentless, obstinate, unyielding in its determination and is rarely wrong, unlike we mortals. Will you join the revolution and get ahead of the EV curve? I did and it is so much fun!
