Revealed today (Jan 12), the AIP has been granted by the Korean register to Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO), Hylium Industries (Hylium), POSCO, and Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE) who have partnered for development of this key technology.
Read more: KRISO takes lead on developing liquid hydrogen fuel propulsion systems for the maritime industry
Read more: South Korea’s first commercialised hydrogen boat revealed
This could be a huge development for the hydrogen shipping industry not only in South Korea but also around the world with the technology set to showcase the potential liquid hydrogen has in decarbonising this crucial sector.
The Korean Register certified two types of the maritime liquid hydrogen fuel tank, one made of 316L stainless steel and one made of 316HN stainless steel material.
The 316L stainless steel is a common austenitic stainless steel that can be directly applied to the production of liquid hydrogen storage containers that need to be maintained at a temperature as low as -253°C.
While 316HN stainless steel developed by POSCO is a next-generation steel that further solves the hydrogen embrittlement problem commonly faced in production of liquid hydrogen storage containers.
With development for the liquid hydrogen ship set to continue with further research and development, KRISO, POSCO, KSOE, and Hylium Industries will continue to promote commercialisation of liquid hydrogen-powered ships through active advancement of developed technologies.
The alliance plans to demonstrate the new eco-friendly ships, as well as build an R&D shipbuilding infrastructure in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, South Korea.
Seo Young Kim, CEO of Hylium Industries, said, “The future of hydrogen in maritime applications is very bright. We are honoured to aid the decarbonisation of the Korean shipbuilding industry and the development of the hydrogen economy in the country.”
Interview: South Korea hydrogen economy
Although South Korea faced one of the world’s largest initial outbreaks of Covid-19 outside of China, it managed to flatten the epidemic curve quickly, and without imposing a nationwide lockdown. It responded so quickly in fact that the country has seen little disruption, even managing to put into operation three new hydrogen stations in the first quarter of 2020, with 37 more planned for this year.
Whilst China and Japan are at the forefront of hydrogen infrastructure buildouts in the Asia-Pacific region, and many of the headlines, South Korea has its own ambitious plans. The South Korean Government sees hydrogen as a new engine for economic growth and central to the country’s shift to a low-carbon economy in the long-term.
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