ClassNK Issues Approval in Principle for Large Liquefied Hydrogen Cargo Containment System

Japan-based classification society ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle to Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the design of a cargo containment system for the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier.

Hydrogen has been identified as one of the leading fuels in the drive to decarbonize. In 2017, ClassNK published the “Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers” describing the safety requirements for liquified hydrogen carriers based on IMO’s Interim Recommendations for Carriage of Liquefied Hydrogen in Bulk. ClassNK also provided class services for the SUISO FRONTIER, the world’s first liquified hydrogen carrier developed, in part, by Kawasaki Heavy Industries with a carrying capacity of 1,250 cubic meters.

The cargo containment system covered under the AIP has capacity for 40,000 cubic meters per tank. ClassNK carried out the design review of the newly developed CCS based on its “Part N of Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships,” which incorporates the IGC Code and its guidelines based on IMO’s interim recommendations.

ClassNK says the new system enables the transportation of cryogenic liquefied hydrogen in large amounts thanks to tank capacity on par with existing large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. It also uses an independent, self-supporting design with a structure capable of responding flexibly to thermal contraction that occurs when loading cryogenic liquefied hydrogen, a high-performance heat insulation system to reduce boil-off gas, and also uses boil-off gas as fuel to power the ship.

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