KR Webzine Vol.153

The Korean Register (KR) has granted AIP (Approval in Principle) verifying a 20,000m3 commercial liquefied hydrogen carrier developed by HHI Group’s Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) and Hyundai Glovis.

In May, KR signed a joint development project (JDP) with the Hyundai Group agreeing to develop the liquefied hydrogen carrier. Together with its ship management subsidiary G Marine Service, Hyundai Glovis analysed a range of safety factors such as ship size, engine driving method, and hydrogen gas treatment methods and reflected the findings in the final design.

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering developed the liquefied hydrogen cargo handling system and a hydrogen evaporation gas treatment system based on fuel cells, while Hyundai Mipo Dockyard has drawn up the basic design for the ship.

Finally, KR granted AIP after verifying the conformity of this basic design to international standards and classification rules, at the same time, the Liberian flag state also awarded the design AIP.

There are currently no cases of mass production or design certification of large hydrogen carriers worldwide, so this design which has been jointly developed by the world's best shipbuilders and shipping companies and its basic certification is expected to become a technical standard for other companies entering the market in the future.

In preparation for the era of decarbonization, KR will continue to work closely with the shipbuilding-shipping industry to identify different technologies to apply fuel to ships, including hydrogen-related technologies such as those used on liquid hydrogen carriers.