ClassNK adds liquefied hydrogen carrier to its register – World’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Tokyo – Leading Classification Society ClassNK has added the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) to its register.

Hydrogen is clean energy that does not emit CO2 when burned. The use of hydrogen is expected to expand worldwide, and efforts are being made to build a supply chain to realize a Hydrogen Society. Suiso Frontier 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).

Hydrogen is liquefied at an extremely low temperature of -253 degrees Celsius and has hazards such as flammability, permeability, and more. 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 Hydrogen in Bulk.

For‘Suiso Frontier’s hull structure, machinery, onboard equipment, materials, etc. ClassNK completed the prescribed surveys on in line with its class rules and “Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers”, and added the vessel to its register on 3 December 2021.

ClassNK will continuously support the safe operation of the vessel through surveys in service, while utilize the knowledge and experience gained from the upcoming surveys for keeping its guidelines up to date and contributing to establish the appropriate international standard, thereby working to the social implementation of hydrogen transportation.