MOL, KEPCO to jointly study liquefied hydrogen carrier

November 19, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and compatriot electricity firm Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the joint study of a liquefied hydrogen carrier.

Under the MoU, the two companies will conduct a comprehensive study to determine the optimal design and operational requirements for the vessels involved in transporting liquefied hydrogen.

This will include a detailed review of ship specifications, operational protocols, and safety measures, taking into account the unique characteristics and challenges associated with transporting hydrogen in its liquefied state. Special emphasis will be placed on ensuring the safety of both the vessels and their crew, given the high volatility of hydrogen.

Specifically, the key areas of the study will include:

arrangement and examination of technical and contractual relationships related to vessels;
study of issues to be addressed in the establishment of the supply chain, such as permits and approvals;
analysis and study of cargo handling operations and ship/shore compatibility;
discussions with ship classification societies and regulatory authorities; and,
economic analysis of the liquefied hydrogen supply chain (for liquid hydrogen carriers).

This MoU marks the first such agreement in Japan between a shipping company and a power generation company regarding the marine transport of liquefied hydrogen, which is “a key element in the establishment of a hydrogen fuel supply chain”, according to MOL.

MOL and KEPCO will continue to study the specifics of marine transport of liquefied hydrogen and work toward the establishment of a hydrogen supply chain and the realization of a zero-carbon society.

To remind, in February this year, MOL teamed up with Australian energy major Woodside and South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Hyundai Glovis to study the development of shipping solutions for bulk marine transportation of liquid hydrogen.

Woodside, HD KSOE, and Hyundai Glovis have been pursuing this project since 2022 and now MOL has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly study the technology, safety, construction, operation, and economics of a carrier with 80,000 cbm tank capacity. The design received approval in principle (AiP) from classification society DNV.