Hyundai Heavy Group Partners with Hyundai Glovis to Accelerate the Era of Hydrogen Carriers

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, together with Hyundai Glovis and others, has obtained the world's first certification for a commercial liquefied hydrogen carrier.

Hyundai Heavy Industries Group's Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard announced on the 22nd that they received the basic certification (AIP, Approval in Principle) for a 20,000㎥ liquefied hydrogen carrier from the Korean Register (KR) and the Liberian flag state, the ship registration authority.

This vessel is the world's first liquefied hydrogen carrier developed in a large size capable of commercial actual operation. Hyundai Heavy Industries Group plans to proceed with detailed discussions on practical application with Hyundai Glovis and others. The basic certification from the classification society is a procedure to verify the suitability and safety of the basic ship design and serves as the foundation for the shipbuilder's full-scale business activities.

The vessel features a double-structured vacuum insulated tank that enhances insulation to minimize hydrogen evaporation gas generated during operation. Additionally, it adopts an electric propulsion system, allowing future utilization of hydrogen evaporation gas as fuel for fuel cells.

To transport large volumes of hydrogen by ship, a liquefaction process that reduces volume by 1/800 and enhances stability is essential. Since hydrogen liquefies at an ultra-low temperature of minus 253 degrees Celsius, which is lower than LNG that liquefies at minus 163 degrees Celsius, liquefied hydrogen carriers require advanced cryogenic technology to stably preserve it.

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering developed the liquefied hydrogen cargo handling system and hydrogen evaporation gas treatment system using fuel cells, while Hyundai Mipo Dockyard carried out the basic ship design. Hyundai Glovis and G-Marine Service analyzed the economic feasibility and safety during the storage and transportation process of liquefied hydrogen.

According to the 'Hydrogen, Scaling Up' report released by the World Hydrogen Council in 2017, the global hydrogen market is expected to grow to $2.5 trillion by 2050, accounting for 18% of total energy demand.

A Hyundai Heavy Industries Group official said, "It is meaningful that shipbuilding and shipping companies have cooperated to secure growth engines for the future hydrogen economy era," adding, "We will actively pioneer the overseas large-capacity hydrogen transportation market based on our advanced technology."

Alfonso Castillero, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Liberian flag state, said, "It is significant to participate in the joint development of hydrogen carriers from the perspective of a flag state with a long history and technical verification capability," and added, "We have thoroughly reviewed the safety and related regulations for the design and construction of this vessel, and we are very pleased to work with excellent partners in the shipbuilding and shipping industries."