Oman's Duqm Port Set to Host Arab World's First Commercial Liquid Hydrogen Export Corridor

Oman is building the Arab world's first commercial corridor for exporting liquid hydrogen, starting from Duqm Port on the Arabian Sea. The project, based on a 2025 agreement, aims to ship cryogenically cooled hydrogen to European markets like the Netherlands and Germany. Liquefying hydrogen at minus 253°C shrinks its volume to 1/800th, enabling long-distance transport on specialized tankers. The corridor depends on massive renewable energy installations in Al Wusta Governorate to produce green hydrogen via electrolysis. European partners will build regasification terminals and distribution networks at arrival ports. While ammonia or methanol might be cheaper to ship, Oman is betting on direct liquefaction as a scalable proof-of-concept for zero-carbon fuel trade. This project represents a strategic shift for a hydrocarbon exporter, diversifying into clean fuels and reducing reliance on oil and LNG. Success would provide a blueprint for international green hydrogen logistics and support global carbon neutrality targets.