ClassNK approves world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier

Photo: ClassNK first liquefied hydrogen carriers.jpeg
Japan’s classification society ClassNK has added the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) to its register.

Suiso Frontiers is the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier built by KHI, a member of the CO2-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Research Association (HySTRA).

HySTRA was formed by KHI, Iwatani Corporation, Shell Japan Limited, and Electric Power Development in 2016, with the aim of promoting hydrogen as a fuel source.

ClassNK completed the prescribed surveys of the vessel and added the vessel to its register on 3 December 2021.

The ship is expected to be the first of many more hydrogen carriers and KHI aims to build more in the future.

To contribute to the safe seaborne transportation of hydrogen, which needs intensive measures for handling, in 2017 ClassNK published the “Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers” describing the safety requirements based on the IMO’s Interim Recommendations for Carriage of Liquefied.