The delivery marked the first time the Malaysian state-owned energy firm transported hydrogen by sea using metal hydride storage technology, rather than in a gas or liquid form.

Hydrexia provided its MHX container, which stores hydrogen in magnesium-based metal hydrides. “[This] mitigates risks associated with hydrogen logistics, and reduces operational costs,” according to the firm’s statement.

Hydrexia added that the demonstration with SEDC means its technology can now be commercially deployed and used to transport hydrogen regionally in Asia.

“The shipment clearly demonstrates our ability to expand business to new regional markets and monetise our MHX,” Alex Fang, Hydrexia CEO and chairman, said.

Using Hydrexia’s technology, hydrogen is stored by absorbing it into a metal alloy, rather than compressing it into gas cylinders or cooling it to -253°C as a liquid.

The hydrogen molecules bond with the metal, forming a solid compound instead of being stored as a gas or liquid.

When heated or the pressure is lowered, the hydrogen can be released again as a gas and used in applications like a fuel cell.

However, while they can store hydrogen at a higher volumetric density compared to compressed gas, the material is significantly heavier.

Typically, metal hydrides can hold about 4–8% of their own weight in hydrogen. That means 100kg of metal hydride material can store 4-8kg of hydrogen.

When factoring in the container and system components, the practical storage capacity reportedly drops to about 2–4kg of hydrogen per 100kg of total system weight.

Nevertheless, SEDC has said the delivery acts as a proof of concept as Sarawak attempts to become a regional hydrogen exporter.