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.
Vacuum insulation system
HD KSOE's vacuum insulation system is designed to reduce the time required to create a vacuum in large tanks, which is 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. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements.
Liquid hydrogen storage and transportation
“Hydrogen is a key enabler for decarbonisation, playing critical roles as fuel, feedstock, energy storage, and load balancing,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
"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."
Energy transition
Dr. Byeongyong Yoo, Vice President, of HD KSOE, said, “HD KSOE has been dedicated to providing technological solutions for large-scale energy shipping, such as LNG, LPG, Ammonia, CO2, and now hydrogen."
"These efforts include this hydrogen vacuum system solution and large-scale validation test. We will continue collaborating with leading global companies to drive the energy transition and achieve net-zero goals.”
Validation test
Woodside Energy, MOL, and Hyundai Glovis participated in the validation test and are currently working with HD KSOE
Global energy and shipping companies Woodside Energy, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Hyundai Glovis also participated in the validation test and are currently working with HD KSOE on the joint development of an 80,000 cbm liquid hydrogen carrier.
Jason Crusan, Vice President of Energy Solutions at Woodside Energy, said, “This is a key achievement that builds confidence that liquid hydrogen ships can be efficiently designed and constructed in a shipyard environment.”
A step to commercialisation
Jotaro Tamura, Senior Managing Executive Officer of M.O.L. 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, Vice President and Head of the Shipping Business Support Group with Hyundai Glovis said, “Achieving this remarkable milestone as the world’s first to verify tank scale-up successfully, HD KSOE has demonstrated the dedication and innovation of the research."
Decarbonisation and sustainability
"We hope this achievement is a strong foundation for future advancements in the field.”
ABS is the world’s premier classification society for gas carriers with more than 50 years of experience, and ABS is pioneering the maritime industry in comprehensive decarbonisation and sustainability solutions.
