Saturday 23 / May / 2026
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman participated in the fifth edition of the World Hydrogen Summit and its accompanying exhibition in Rotterdam, bringing together governments, companies and international institutions involved in hydrogen and clean energy sectors.
The participation reflects Oman’s efforts to reinforce its international presence in the green hydrogen industry and expand strategic partnerships in sustainable energy.
The Omani delegation was led by Eng Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, who highlighted during the summit’s opening session the latest developments in implementing Oman’s Green Hydrogen Strategy and the progress achieved in projects and infrastructure linked to the sector.
He stressed the importance of international alignment on regulations, standards and enabling frameworks to accelerate the transition towards a hydrogen-based and low-carbon energy economy. He also outlined Oman’s vision for the future of global energy markets and the role of green hydrogen in achieving sustainability and net-zero targets.
On the sidelines of the summit, Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi held a series of bilateral meetings with senior officials and executives in the energy and hydrogen sectors, including a meeting with Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam.
Discussions focused on the port’s role in Oman’s energy transition strategy, opportunities for cooperation in solar energy projects and grid connectivity, as well as prospects for developing green hydrogen supply chains to European markets. The two sides also reviewed the “Nor Bridge” project and the possibility of establishing a green hydrogen corridor between Oman and Rotterdam.
The delegation also met representatives of the Port of Vlissingen and several European companies to discuss hydrogen production and consumption plans, infrastructure cooperation, storage facilities and import projects related to blue and green hydrogen.
In another meeting, Omani officials met with the CEO of the Dutch Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) to discuss collaboration in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), natural hydrogen, hydrogen certification frameworks and scientific research programmes linked to hydrogen and low-carbon energy projects in Oman.
The delegation also met the Belgian Hydrogen Council to explore investment opportunities and joint cooperation across green hydrogen value chains with European institutions.
Further discussions were held with Willemien Terpstra, CEO of Gasunie, focusing on hydrogen infrastructure projects, hydrogen transport studies and opportunities to support related infrastructure development in Oman.
The Minister additionally participated in the “Liquid Hydrogen Corridor” meeting involving representatives from Oman, Netherlands, Germany and Japan to discuss international hydrogen trade corridors and mechanisms linking global markets with production projects in Oman.
During the visit, Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi also met Stientje van Veldhoven to discuss developments in energy and hydrogen markets and follow up on agreements signed during the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the Netherlands in April 2025.
The Omani delegation further met Carola Schouten, Mayor of Rotterdam to discuss cooperation opportunities in clean energy, sustainability, innovation and economic partnerships.
Oman also participated in roundtable discussions at the International Hydrogen Trade Forum with global government and private-sector representatives to discuss the future of hydrogen trade and regulatory frameworks supporting the sector.
During the summit, the “Nor Bridge” project agreement was signed between Sohar Port and Freezone, German University of Technology in Oman, Asyad Group and several Dutch entities. The agreement aims to study transportation methods and costs for hydrogen and its derivatives between Oman and the Netherlands through various logistics channels.
The Omani delegation also conducted field visits to strategic projects and facilities in Rotterdam, including the Dutch Data Center Association, where discussions focused on sustainable solutions for powering data centres using renewable energy and hydrogen.
Oman’s participation in the World Hydrogen Summit underscores the Sultanate’s commitment to advancing green hydrogen as a strategic pillar supporting economic diversification and net-zero ambitions under Oman Vision 2040.
