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Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy launches world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrierJapan’s Kawasaki Heavy launches world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier

Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries has launched the world’s first ocean-going liquefied hydrogen carrier, the Suiso Frontier, on Wednesday in Kobe port.

Lee Hong Liang, Asia Correspondent

December 12, 2019

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The Japanese shipbuilder said, however, the yard is still working on installing a liquefied hydrogen storage tank on the ship and will fully complete the construction by late-2020.

“Once complete, the Suiso Frontier will be used for technology demonstration testing in Japanese FY 2020 aimed at the establishment of an international hydrogen energy supply chain in which liquefied hydrogen produced in Australia will be shipped to Japan,” Kawasaki Heavy stated.

Hydrogen produced from coal in Australia, liquefied at -253C, will be shipped to Japan on Suiso Frontier.

“At present, this is the only ship in the world to apply the International Maritime Organisation’s interim safety standard for carrying liquid hydrogen, and when it completes its trials in 2020, we hope its approach to safety will become a de facto standard,” said Motohiko Nishimura, the head of Kawasaki Heavy’s hydrogen development centre.  “In that respect, we think the technology on this ship is a step ahead of the rest of the world.” 

Hydrogen is considered to be a key next-generation energy source that can combat global warming as it does not emit CO2 or other greenhouse gases.

Several Japanese companies including Kawasaki Heavy established the CO2-free Hydrogen Supply-chain Technology Research Association to make the use of hydrogen as a potential fuel source alongside petroleum and natural gas.

Related:Launch of first hydrogen-powered 5G terminal in Qingdao

About the Author

Lee Hong Liang

Asia Correspondent

Singapore-based Lee Hong Liang provides a significant boost to daily coverage of the Asian shipping markets, as well as bringing with him an in-depth specialist knowledge of the bunkering markets.

Throughout Hong Liang’s 14-year career as a maritime journalist, he has reported ‘live’ news from conferences, conducted one-on-one interviews with top officials, and had the ability to write hard news and featured stories.

 

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