Hamburger Hafen und Logistik is participating in a forward-looking partnership to establish the world’s first import corridor for liquid hydrogen. The aim is to transport green hydrogen from Oman to Europe, thus securing the supply of climate-friendly energy. On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a Joint Development Agreement was signed as part of the state visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to the Netherlands.

The planned corridor will connect the Port of Duqm in Oman with Amsterdam as well as logistics locations in Duisburg and other key regions of Germany. HHLA contributes its expertise and infrastructure to the project – in particular via the Europe-wide intermodal network of its rail subsidiary Metrans to ensure the efficient onward distribution of hydrogen.

In total, eleven partners have signed the agreement, including Hydrom, energy company OQ, Tata Steel Nederland, Hynetwork, and HHLA, representing all key elements of the planned supply chain. The development of a central facility for liquefying, storing and shipping hydrogen at the Port of Duqm is planned. From there, the hydrogen will be transported to Amsterdam on board specially developed liquid hydrogen ships. In addition to the Port of Duisburg, other logistic hubs in Germany will be included, while distribution infrastructure via pipeline, railway and inland waterway ship will be established.

With this project, HHLA is contributing to a climate-friendly energy supply in Europe. “For HHLA, hydrogen is an important element of the journey towards climate neutrality by 2040,” emphasised Annette Walter, Chief Financial Officer of HHLA. “Liquid hydrogen plays a key role here, as it can be transported independently of pipelines – which is ideal for mobility and logistics, the aviation industry, and small and medium-sized industrial and chemical companies. With our European logistics network, we want to efficiently transport hydrogen from the import ports to end consumers in Germany and Europe. Today’s partnership represents another step towards providing a scalable and reliable supply of liquid hydrogen.”

The agreement is also a strategic move by Oman to position itself as a leading player in the global green hydrogen market. The initiative supports the EU’s climate goals and promotes the decarbonisation of particularly carbon-intensive sectors, such as steel and transportation.

“This agreement represents a landmark moment in our commitment to clean energy,” said Sophie Hermans, the Dutch Minister for Climate and Green Growth. “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, H.E. Eng. 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.”

The agreement builds on an existing partnership between Hydrom, the Omani Ministry of Energy and Minerals, the Port of Amsterdam, ECOLOG, and EnBW to develop a liquid hydrogen corridor. With this step, the partners move closer to their goal of delivering large volumes of green hydrogen from Oman to Europe by 2029.