ABS greenlights SHI’s liquefied hydrogen carrier design

Classification society ABS has issued general design approval (GDA) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its detailed design of a liquefied hydrogen carrier.

As disclosed, ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. According to the classification society, the 20,000 cbm vessel design features Type C tanks.

Type C tanks are insulated cylindrical, bi-lobe, or tri-lobe-shaped tanks that can be fully or partially pressurized, depending on the liquefied gas to be stored. Type C tanks are typically found onboard small and mid-sized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, as well as small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

Gareth Burton, the Senior Vice President of Global Engineering at ABS, stated that hydrogen is a key enabler of the clean energy economy. He explained that in decarbonizing various industry sectors, hydrogen plays critical roles as a fuel, feedstock, energy storage, and load balancing.

He also noted that as the demand for hydrogen increases, vessels like the one designed by SHI will be essential for transportation and the development of the hydrogen value chain.

Ho-Ki Lee, the Vice President of the Green Energy Technology Center at SHI, stated that through the joint development project, SHI had secured a detailed design for a liquefied hydrogen cargo containment system and cargo handling system. He added that SHI plans to prepare for the commercialization of liquefied hydrogen carriers following a mock-up verification.

As countries and industries strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the demand for hydrogen as a clean fuel source is expected to grow. This increase in demand will drive investments in liquefied hydrogen carriers and related infrastructure, making them a critical component of the hydrogen supply chain.

On a separate note, as part of its decarbonization efforts, SHI recently received approval in principle for its ammonia-fueled 9,300 TEU containership design. The company developed an entirely new structural layout and the vessel’s design which includes specialized fuel tanks, fuel supply systems, ventilation, and gas detection systems, incorporating the properties of ammonia fuel.