HD Hyundai Collaborates with Global Shipping Companies to Develop Large-Scale Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers

Global Shipbuilding, Energy, and Shipping Companies Unite
to Collaborate on Building Maritime Liquefied Hydrogen Transport Value Chain

HD Hyundai is collaborating with global energy companies, shipping companies, and shipowners to take the lead in the global hydrogen transportation market.

HD Hyundai's shipbuilding holding company, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, announced on the 14th that it recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in developing a liquefied hydrogen transportation value chain with Woodside Energy, Australia's largest energy company, Hyundai Glovis, the logistics company of Hyundai Motor Group, and the Japanese global shipping company MOL.

Since 2022, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has been jointly developing maritime value chain solutions considering the liquefied hydrogen import/export environment and vessel operation in partnership with Woodside Energy and Hyundai Glovis. With MOL, which has accumulated decades of expertise in liquefied natural gas transportation, newly joining the partnership, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering expects to further advance the ongoing global hydrogen transportation business model.

Under this four-party agreement, each company plans to develop safe, efficient, and low-carbon hydrogen maritime transportation technology by 2030.

Perspective view of a large liquefied hydrogen carrier ship that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is developing with a target year of 2030 [Photo provided by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering will be responsible for developing large-scale liquefied hydrogen carriers that are technically and commercially operable by 2030. Following the domestic first development of an LNG-hydrogen dual-fuel engine in 2022, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has led hydrogen vessel technology, including receiving Approval in Principle (AIP) from DNV for its self-developed large hydrogen carrier hydrogen cargo system in 2023.

Woodside Energy will develop the liquefied hydrogen market. Last year, Woodside Energy signed a Non-binding Heads of Agreement to supply liquefied hydrogen to Keppel Data Centre in Singapore, advancing the development of a global energy supply chain.

Hyundai Glovis and MOL will review the technical feasibility of operating liquefied hydrogen carriers and conduct necessary research for vessel operation.

Jang Gwangpil, Head of Future Technology Institute at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, said, "Based on HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering’s advanced technology and know-how in the gas carrier sector, we will take the lead in building the liquefied hydrogen transportation value chain. Through this cooperation, we will seek not only technology development but also practical business opportunities."

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering is leading the eco-friendly ship market, having secured orders for the world's first medium-sized ammonia-powered vessel and the world's largest liquefied carbon dioxide carrier. It has also secured a total of 43 methanol-powered container ships, the most in the world, including the world's first methanol-powered container ship, with the first vessel successfully delivered in September last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.