This represents a significant milestone within the Australian hydrogen sector showcasing the potential of hydrogen exports to the lucrative Asian markets whilst also heralding a new energy export industry.

Read more: Japan and Australia join forces on hydrogen
Read more: Australia set to export hydrogen to Japan as part of $150m programme

The liquid hydrogen will be shipped from Victoria to Japan with the arrival of the Suiso Frontier carrier as part of the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC).

It is estimated the 225,000 tonnes of carbon neutral liquefied hydrogen produced by HESC in a commercial phase will help reduce global emissions by around 1.8 million tonnes per year, or the equivalent of emissions from 350,000 petrol cars.

The clean hydrogen will be produced from local brown coal, with carbon dioxide from the process captured and securely stored in the CarbonNet project’s offshore reservoir in Gippsland.

The project includes a specially built carrier that is ready to load super-cooled liquid hydrogen for transit to Japan.

Speaking on the project, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “A successful Australian hydrogen industry means lower emissions, greater energy production and more local jobs.

“The HESC project is key to both Australia and Japan and our hydrogen industries. In addition to our Government’s support for HESC, we have recently established the Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program and committed up to $150m to the first round that will focus on clean hydrogen supply chains with Japan.

“Last year, our countries affirmed our mutual ambitions and desire to work together to advance the development of low emissions technologies when we agreed the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology.

“This project demonstrates the benefits of that cooperation.

“The HESC project puts Australia at the forefront of the global energy transition to lower emissions through clean hydrogen, which is a fuel of the future.”