Madrid, Spain | November 4, 2025 — The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Spain have taken a significant step toward advancing cleaner maritime fuels and bunkering capabilities, signing two landmark memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that position Oman as a future hub for green methanol production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
The agreements — part of four MoUs inked during the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to Spain — underscore Oman’s growing role in supplying low-carbon and transitional fuels to global shipping and energy markets.
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Dhofar to Emerge as a Green Methanol and Bunkering Hub
An MoU was signed between Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and an international consortium comprising HIF EMEA, ACCIONA & Nordex Green Hydrogen, and Al MEERA Investment, lays the groundwork for developing a major green methanol production and vessel bunkering project in the Dhofar Governorate.
The project aims to produce low-carbon green methanol by integrating Oman’s abundant solar and wind resources with carbon capture technologies, converting captured CO₂ into sustainable marine fuel.
Key components of the initiative include:
- Assessing the technical, regulatory, and commercial framework for a large-scale methanol production facility.
- Exploring vessel bunkering and export opportunities for green methanol.
- Leveraging Oman’s strategic maritime position to serve shipping routes across the Middle East, Indian Ocean, and Europe.
According to the Ministry, Dhofar’s advanced infrastructure and renewable potential make it an ideal location to establish one of the region’s leading green fuel and bunkering centers, aligned with Oman’s 2050 carbon neutrality strategy.
Oman LNG–Naturgy MoU Expands LNG Trade and Maritime Opportunities
Another MoU was signed between Oman LNG and Spain’s Naturgy, strengthens the long-term cooperation between the two countries in liquefied natural gas supply and maritime transport.
The agreement includes:
- Exploring a long-term LNG sale and purchase deal for up to 1 million tons per year starting in 2030.
- Evaluating a joint investment in an LNG carrier in collaboration with Oman’s Asyad Group.
- Studying opportunities for access to European regasification terminals and gas pipeline networks.
This collaboration could open doors for Oman to expand its LNG shipping and bunkering footprint in European markets, enhancing both supply chain resilience and cleaner fuel access for maritime operators.
Strategic Momentum Toward Cleaner Bunkering
Industry analysts note that these agreements mark a major advance in Oman’s ambition to become a diversified maritime energy hub, capable of supplying both transition fuels like LNG and future-ready fuels such as green methanol.
By aligning with leading Spanish and European technology developers, Oman is setting a clear course to:
- Strengthen its alternative fuel export capacity;
- Develop green bunkering infrastructure in key coastal regions;
- And reinforce its role in the global decarbonisation of shipping.
The green methanol initiative in Dhofar could also position Oman among the few countries offering dual low-carbon bunkering options — LNG and methanol — vital to meeting IMO 2030 and 2050 emission targets.
A New Era for Omani Bunkering
These collaborations reaffirm Oman’s strategic intent to blend traditional LNG strength with emerging green fuel innovation, paving the way for an integrated multi-fuel bunkering ecosystem capable of serving global shipping’s evolving energy demands.
As the world’s maritime sector accelerates toward decarbonisation, Oman’s dual-focus partnerships with Spain reflect its readiness to fuel the next generation of sustainable shipping — from LNG to green methanol.
Oman’s Expanding Role in Global Shipping and Energy Supply Chains
Situated along one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, Oman has rapidly emerged as a key maritime and logistics hub linking Asia, Africa, and Europe. With deep-water ports in Duqm, Sohar, and Salalah — strategically positioned along major east–west shipping routes — the Sultanate is investing heavily in developing integrated energy and bunkering infrastructure. These projects align with Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy to diversify its economy, strengthen maritime trade, and position the nation as a premier multi-fuel supply base for global shipping.