[SHI Press release/ June 14, 2024] In a collaborative effort to advance the design and construction of liquefied hydrogen carriers, the Korean shipbuilding and steel industries, along with Korea Register(KR), have initiated a joint study on LH2 tanks, a crucial component for such vessels.

On June 13th, R&D leaders from three major shipbuilders (HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean) as well as representatives from two prominent steelmakers (Posco and Hyundai Steel) and KR convened at the Pangyo R&D Center of Samsung Heavy Industries. During the gathering, they formalized their commitment by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The primary objective of this MOU is to enhance technological competitiveness in the realm of liquefied hydrogen carrier development. By facilitating collaboration and information sharing, the signatories aim to bolster Korea's position in the emerging market for next-generation hydrogen carriers. This endeavor is anticipated to pave the way for the establishment of international standards pertaining to the design and fabrication of liquefied hydrogen cargo holds. The exchange of findings from experiments on material properties in a liquefied hydrogen environment and the joint utilization of data are expected to play pivotal roles in laying the groundwork for Korea's leadership in this sector.