HD KSOE earns global nod for hydrogen tank innovation

In Greece, Safety4Sea reported HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. secured approval in principle on January 14, 2025, for its vacuum insulation technology for liquefied hydrogen storage tanks from four leading classification societies: Lloyd’s Register, the American Bureau of Shipping, Det Norske Veritas, and the Korean Register.

The technology addresses “some of the most pressing challenges of using hydrogen in the maritime industry,” including the ability to store LH₂ at -253°C while minimizing boil-off gas. Current systems, like NASA’s 5,000 m³ tank, are dwarfed by the demands of shipping, which require tanks over four times larger. HD KSOE’s vacuum insulation system, inspired by thermos flask principles, passed the world’s first large-scale technical validation for such applications.

“This hydrogen vacuum system solution and large-scale validation test are part of these efforts,” said Dr. Byeongyong Yoo, Vice President of HD KSOE. Collaboration with partners like Woodside Energy, Mitsui OSK Lines, and Hyundai Glovis further supported the innovation.

LR confirmed the system’s performance, citing a “significant reduction in vacuum time in shipyards,” underscoring its readiness for maritime deployment.

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