HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has received Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a groundbreaking tank design aimed at large-scale hydrogen transport and storage. The design features an advanced vacuum insulation system capable of maintaining a vacuum at –253°C, a critical temperature for the safe and efficient transport of liquid hydrogen.
This innovation significantly reduces the time required to establish a vacuum in large tanks, ensuring loss-free hydrogen transport over long distances. The achievement marks a major step in addressing the growing demand for advanced hydrogen infrastructure as the shipping and energy sectors pivot toward decarbonization.
ABS conducted a comprehensive review of the design, confirming its compliance with international standards. Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, called the development “an exciting milestone” and highlighted hydrogen's vital role in global decarbonization efforts.
HD KSOE Vice President Dr. Byeongyong Yoo reaffirmed the company’s commitment to energy transition technologies, noting their experience in large-scale energy shipping solutions for LNG, LPG, ammonia, and CO₂. He stated that this innovation underscores HD KSOE’s leadership in advancing hydrogen transport technologies.
The project also included global energy and shipping leaders Woodside Energy, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Hyundai Glovis, which collaborated on the validation test and are jointly developing an 80,000 cbm liquid hydrogen carrier. Representatives from the partner companies praised the achievement as a key step toward commercializing large-scale hydrogen shipping.
ABS, a global leader in gas carrier classification, underscored its ongoing role in supporting the industry’s decarbonization and sustainability initiatives.
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