Oman and Netherlands Launch NoorBridge Hydrogen Committee
The NoorBridge programme held its inaugural Steering Committee meeting in Muscat to advance green hydrogen supply chains.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Middle East
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The NoorBridge programme has officially convened its inaugural Steering Committee meeting at the Oman Hydrogen Centre in Muscat. This initiative aims to establish functional hydrogen supply chains between Oman and various European markets.
Why it matters
The programme seeks to connect Oman's significant hydrogen production ambitions with the growing industrial energy demand across Europe. It coordinates research and industrial collaboration to identify the most competitive pathways for international hydrogen trade.
The programme evaluates various hydrogen transportation technologies, specifically focusing on liquefied hydrogen, green ammonia, and methanol. This coordination includes key logistical stakeholders like the Port of Rotterdam and SOHAR Port and Freezone.
The players
Essam al Sheibany
He serves as the inaugural Chairman of the NoorBridge Steering Committee.
Asyad Group
This is a major Omani logistics company involved in coordinating hydrogen supply chain research.
Port of Rotterdam
This is a major European port authority participating in the collaboration to receive hydrogen imports.
Hydrom
This is an Omani state-owned enterprise responsible for orchestrating the hydrogen sector and managing energy land leases.
The details
The committee meeting brought together representatives from organizations including the Asyad Group, Hydrom, and the Holland Hydrogen Hub, which acts as the project secretariat. The group is tasked with facilitating knowledge transfer and industrial cooperation to build out the necessary infrastructure for these energy corridors.
Timeline
April 2025: An agreement for a liquid hydrogen corridor between Oman, the Netherlands, and Germany was signed.
December 2025: The NoorBridge programme was officially launched.
May 2026: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam.
July 2026: An Omani delegation conducted a site visit to the Netherlands.
October 26, 2026: The inaugural NoorBridge Steering Committee meeting was held in Muscat.
Travel Outlook
The establishment of NoorBridge marks a shift toward industrial tourism and professional travel between the Middle East and Europe centered on energy logistics. This corridor follows established seasonal energy and trade patterns, moving beyond traditional tourism to define long-term bilateral mobility.
While this programme focuses on industrial energy, business travelers and logistics professionals should expect increased professional transit between Muscat and major European port cities. Travelers should monitor updates to bilateral agreements as these corridors may influence future visa processes or infrastructure projects.
The takeaway
The formalization of this committee signals a move toward concrete operational steps for intercontinental green energy trade. Businesses involved in the energy sector should monitor the project's output to identify future opportunities in hydrogen-ready shipping and infrastructure development.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest regional developments in the Middle East section.
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