As the global energy landscape accelerates toward a climate-neutral and secure energy future, the need for real leadership, practical solutions, and visionary thinking has never been greater. ‘In Conversation With’ is a new blog series from Dii Desert Energy that spotlights the voices shaping the energy transition across the MENA region and beyond.
Dr. Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Abri, Vice President for Sustainability at SOHAR Port and Freezone
Dr. Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Abri is the Vice President for Sustainability at SOHAR Port and Freezone, leading the organization’s sustainability initiatives since May 2024. With a distinguished background as an international consultant in energy, technology, and investment, he has represented Oman at the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), playing a key role in advancing the country’s hydrogen economy and energy transition strategies. At SOHAR, Dr. Abdullah is focused on developing international trade corridors for new energies and clean hydrogen, leveraging his strategic insight and extensive professional network.
Dr. Abdullah holds a Ph.D. in Reservoir Engineering from Curtin University of Technology and has held critical roles, including Energy Renewal Director at PDO and Consultant at the IEA. Passionate about mentoring and continuous learning, he is committed to influencing energy trade and policy dialogues while driving sustainable development at SOHAR Port and Freezone.
About SOHAR Port and Freezone
SOHAR Port and Freezone is one of the world’s fastest-growing integrated industrial and logistics hubs, strategically positioned to connect businesses to the world and facilitate trade across diverse sectors. This significant mega-project, a collaboration between ASYAD Group & the Port of Rotterdam, offers a comprehensive range of services, including logistics, petrochemicals, metals, and the region’s first dedicated agro terminal.
With over 20 years of operation, SOHAR has become the primary gateway for Oman’s import and export activities, contributing 2.6 % to the nation’s GDP and creating nearly 42,000 direct and indirect jobs. The SOHAR Freezone enhances operational efficiencies through synergies in green manufacturing, logistics, and trade. Currently, land occupancy for both phase one and phase two has reached 66%.
As of 2024, SOHAR Port has achieved a remarkable throughput of 75 million metric tons, rise in roll-on, roll-off (RORO) operations. SOHAR Port is a multifunctional port driving innovation and efficiency in Oman’s logistics, marine services, and trade sectors, committed to sustainable development and advanced technology. This modernization aligns with the economic diversification objectives outlined in Oman’s Vision 2040.
What are you currently focusing on? And why is this important now?
Our priority today is on enabling clean value chains by embedding decarbonization into the core of industrial activity at SOHAR. This includes the launch of the SOHAR GreenTech Cluster, which will support the regional production of solar wafers, photovoltaic panels, and battery components—critical inputs for the global clean energy economy. We are also introducing shore power infrastructure to cut emissions from berthed vessels and aggregating industrial demand for green hydrogen and carbon capture solutions through the SOHAR Net Zero Alliance (SNZA). In parallel, we are building a circular economy platform focused on resource efficiency, waste minimization, and industrial symbiosis.
These initiatives are not just environmental, they are strategic. As carbon intensity becomes a determining factor in global market access, financing, and investor decision-making, sustainability is now central to competitiveness. In this evolving context, SOHAR is positioning itself as a gateway to global markets for low-carbon industries, offering the infrastructure, energy partnerships, and policy frameworks needed to thrive in the emerging green economy.
“As carbon intensity becomes a determining factor in global market access, financing, and investor decision-making, sustainability is now central to competitiveness.“
What do you see the impact of the above focus being on the industry?
These initiatives are redefining SOHAR’s role from a traditional landlord model to a proactive catalyst for industrial transformation. By facilitating cross-sector partnerships, we are enabling industries to take practical, coordinated steps toward low-emission production.
Our alliance-based approach brings together companies from sectors such as steel, aluminum, logistics, and power to co-develop tailored decarbonization pathways. This model fosters collaboration, drives shared innovation, and builds momentum for change.
In doing so, we are cultivating a vibrant investment ecosystem that positions Oman as a competitive player in sustainable global trade. It empowers companies to operate more efficiently and responsibly, while advancing the nation’s economic diversification and climate goals.
What will you be discussing at the Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit this year?
At the summit, I will be sharing how we are turning long-term energy policy into investable projects. I will highlight how we are scaling hydrogen infrastructure in line with Oman’s Hydrogen Strategy and the investment tools we are using to support that, such as sustainability funds and green public-private partnerships.
We are also working on localizing clean technology manufacturing, including early activity in photovoltaics, batteries, and electrolysers. These developments are supported by our participation in international platforms like IRENA’s Annual Financial and Institutional Disclosure (AFID) and the Port of Rotterdam climate platform.
Through these efforts, we are creating synergies within an integrated framework in green manufacturing, logistics and trade. This integrated model is helping to strengthen Oman’s role in the future global energy economy.
Have you been to the Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit before?
Yes, I attended the previous summit in Vienna. It was a valuable experience and a rare opportunity to engage with a wide range of global stakeholders focused on practical solutions. The sessions encouraged constructive dialogue on how to accelerate investment and implementation.
This year, I’m proud to highlight the significant progress we’ve achieved at SOHAR in advancing our role as a regional hub for sustainable industry and trade. Our integrated development model continues to demonstrate how industrial hubs can enable clean energy trade and strengthen regional economic resilience. As a multifunctional port driving innovation across logistics, marine services, and trade, SOHAR is playing a vital role in fostering cross-border collaboration and advancing key sustainability goals.
“It was a valuable experience and a rare opportunity to engage with a wide range of global stakeholders focused on practical solutions“