Oman to explore e-methanol bunkering project in Dhofar region
The Sultanate of Oman has formed a public-private partnership with an international consortium to explore the development of a large-scale e-methanol supply and bunkering facility at the Port of Dhofar.
IMAGE: Model of an green methanol-fuelled ship. Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, Oman.
The consortium consists of Chile-based e-fuels producer HIF Global, Spanish-German green hydrogen developer Acciona Nordex Green Hydrogen (ANGH), and Al Meera Investments, according to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of the Sultanate of Oman.
The project partners will assess the technical, regulatory and commercial requirements for producing e-methanol in Dhofar, including potential export opportunities.
The plan involves using wind and solar power to generate green hydrogen, which will then be combined with captured carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce e-methanol, according to the Ministry.
Green methanol, also known as bio- or e-methanol, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional marine fuels. Unlike LNG, it can also be stored in a liquid state at room temperature without additional facilities.
The consortium will examine options to source CO2 from industrial or biogenic emitters and evaluate the logistics for supplying green methanol to vessels calling at the port.
The Ministry said it will continue discussions with domestic authorities on regulatory frameworks, land availability and potential incentives to advance the proposed project.
By Aparupa Mazumder
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