MUSCAT: Oman is emerging as a pivotal partner in Europe’s ambitions to establish large-scale green hydrogen import corridors, with Dutch-based clean energy developer EcoLog advancing plans to transport renewable hydrogen in liquid form from the Sultanate of Oman to the Netherlands, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer Ellen Ruhotas.
In an interview published by Nederland Waterstofland, the Dutch national hydrogen platform, Ruhotas said discussions with Omani stakeholders are currently the most advanced element of EcoLog’s proposed international liquid hydrogen supply chain, which aims to connect renewable energy producers in Oman with European industrial consumers through Dutch ports.
“During His Majesty Sultan Haithak bin Tarik’s state visit to the Netherlands, all parties sat down at the table together for the first time. We are now moving towards commercial contracts,” Ruhotas said, referring to growing cooperation between Oman, the Netherlands and other potential partners in developing a future hydrogen trade route.
EcoLog’s planned value chain envisages green hydrogen production in Oman, liquefaction by OQ Group, transport by specialised vessels and storage at EcoLog’s planned import terminal in Amsterdam. The company has identified Indian energy company ACME as a potential green hydrogen producer in Oman, with OQ responsible for the liquefaction stage.
The proposed project highlights Oman’s growing importance in Europe’s emerging hydrogen economy. With abundant solar and wind resources, large areas allocated for renewable hydrogen development and a strategic location between Europe and Asia, Oman is positioning itself as a major future exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
EcoLog’s planned Amsterdam terminal would be designed to receive up to 200,000 tonnes of liquid hydrogen annually in its first phase, with potential expansion to 600,000 tonnes per year.
EcoLog plans to establish its import terminal at Afrikahaven Oost in Amsterdam, where it owns land and is preparing infrastructure. The project includes eight storage tanks capable of holding liquid hydrogen for more than a month.
While the Netherlands is developing itself as a European hydrogen import hub through its ports and industrial infrastructure, Oman represents the critical upstream component of the supply chain.
Ruhotas said Oman’s advantage lies in its low-cost renewable energy potential and coordinated national approach through its hydrogen development framework. The country’s hydrogen strategy is coordinated by Hydrom, which has been established as the national orchestrator for green hydrogen development. Several large-scale projects are progressing, targeting production of renewable hydrogen and derivatives for export markets.
For Oman, the EcoLog initiative represents an opportunity to move beyond exporting hydrogen derivatives such as green ammonia and participate directly in the emerging global liquid hydrogen trade.
However, significant hurdles remain before final investment decisions can be taken. EcoLog estimates that developing the complete international supply chain would require investment of around €9.5 billion.
Ruhotas identified financing as the main challenge, noting that banks require long-term purchase agreements before committing funds, while customers remain reluctant to sign 15-year contracts without greater certainty on future hydrogen prices.
“We do not need subsidies, but parties willing to act as guarantors and thereby reduce the financial risks,” she said, adding that government-backed risk-sharing mechanisms could help unlock financing.
In this regard, she identified Oman, the Netherlands and Germany as countries with complementary interests: Oman as a producer, the Netherlands as an import and trading hub, and Germany as a major industrial consumer.
