HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has received approval in principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a new tank design aimed at enabling large-scale hydrogen transport and storage.
The tank employs a vacuum insulation system designed to reduce the time required to create a vacuum in large tanks, which ABS states is a critical component for hydrogen transportation. The system maintains a vacuum state at –253℃, which KSOE says enables safer and loss-free transport of large quantities of liquid hydrogen.
ABS conducted design reviews to ensure compliance with class and statutory requirements.
The validation process involved participation from global energy and shipping companies, including Woodside Energy, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Hyundai Glovis. These companies collaborated with HD KSOE on the joint development of an 80,000-cubic-meter liquid hydrogen carrier.
HD KSOE’s vice president, Dr. Byeongyong Yoo, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing technological solutions for large-scale energy shipping, including LNG, LPG, ammonia, CO2, and now hydrogen. The hydrogen vacuum system and its large-scale validation test are part of these efforts.
