[Splash/ May 24, 2024] HD Hyundai, South Korea’s top shipbuilder, is partnering with Shell to commercialise large liquified hydrogen carriers by 2030.

Both companies have been working hard to develop the necessary technology for this emerging seaborne trade.

Currently the only trading liquid hydrogen carrier in the world, the Suiso Frontier, has just one 1,250 cu m vacuum-insulated, Type C storage tank, with many parties around the world working on how to make larger capacity designs for the fuel which is transported at -253°C.

In February, HD Hyundai also teamed with Japan’s largest shipowner and Australia’s largest oil and gas producer to study how to transport the fuel.

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with HD Hyundai and Woodside Energy as well as Korean owner Hyundai Glovis to jointly study the development of shipping solutions to enable bulk marine transportation of liquid hydrogen.