HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has received ABS approval in principle (AiP) for a tank design that enables large-scale hydrogen transport and storage.
The vacuum insulation system from HD KSOE is designed to reduce the time required to create a vacuum in large tanks, essential for transportation. The new technology allows maintaining a vacuum state at –253℃, which KSOE says enables safer and loss-free transport of large quantities of liquid hydrogen (LH2). ABS completed its design reviews based on class and statutory requirements.
Patrick Ryan, ABS SVP and CTO said: “Hydrogen is a key enabler for decarbonisation, playing critical roles as fuel, feedstock, energy storage and load balancing. As demand grows, shipping will need advanced systems to support large-scale liquid hydrogen storage and transportation. This is an exciting milestone for HD KSOE, and ABS is proud to support such innovative technologies.”
Dr Byeongyong Yoo, VP, HD KSOE, added: “HD KSOE has been dedicated to providing technological solutions for large-scale energy shipping such as LNG, LPG, Ammonia, CO2, and now hydrogen. This hydrogen vacuum system solution and large-scale validation test are part of these efforts. We will continue collaborating with leading global companies to drive the energy transition and achieve net-zero goals.”
Global energy and shipping companies Woodside Energy, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Hyundai Glovis participated in the validation test and are currently working with HD KSOE on the joint development of an 80,000m3 liquid hydrogen carrier.
Jason Crusan, VP Energy Solutions, Woodside Energy, said: “This is a key achievement which builds confidence that liquid hydrogen ships can be efficiently designed and constructed in a shipyard environment.”
Jotaro Tamura, MOL Senior Managing Executive Officer, said: “This verification test was a major milestone in the study of transporting liquefied hydrogen, where one of the major issues was the need to increase the size of the tank, and is an important step toward commercialisation.”
Chio Kwon, VP and Head of Shipping Business Support Group, Hyundai Glovis, said: “Achieving this remarkable milestone as the world’s first to successfully verify tank scale-up, HD KSOE has demonstrated the dedication and innovation of the research. We hope this achievement serves as a strong foundation for future advancements in the field.”
ABS claims to be the world’s premier classification society for gas carriers with more than 50 years of experience, and ABS says it is leading the maritime industry in comprehensive decarbonisation and sustainability solutions.
Image: Liquefied hydrogen carrier (credit: HD KSOE)
