Shell and South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) for the design and construction of a new liquefied hydrogen (LH2) carrier.
The JDA stipulates that Shell and HHI will develop a large-scale LH2 carrier with the goal of commercialisation by 2030.
HHI parent company HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE) will be responsible for research and development of core technologies such as large-scale liquid hydrogen tanks and hydrogen cargo operation systems while HHI will be in charge of hydrogen engine development and the design of the LH2 carrier itself. Shell will contribute its expertise on developing its own technology and operating carriers and will examine the feasibility of designing an LH2 carrier.
The development is being undertaken in anticipation of the growth of the global LH2 transportation market, which will include ships and pipelines.