South Korea to Build World's Largest Liquefied Hydrogen Carrier by 2027
Key Ideas
  • South Korea plans to construct the world's largest liquefied hydrogen carrier by 2027 to lead clean energy shipping and boost the shipbuilding industry.
  • The government will invest 55.5 billion won in 2025 for this initiative, supporting a cargo capacity of 2,300 cubic meters of liquefied hydrogen.
  • The Ministry has formed a joint promotion team to bring together top experts for developing advanced insulation, propulsion, and storage technologies for the carrier.
  • Future goals include developing larger hydrogen carriers by 2030, with a vision to commercialize 160,000 cbm vessels by 2040 while supporting SMEs in technology acquisition and collaboration.
South Korea has announced ambitious plans to build the world's largest liquefied hydrogen carrier by 2027, with an investment of 55.5 billion won in 2025 alone. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed this roadmap during an inauguration ceremony in Busan, outlining a strategic vision to pioneer clean energy shipping. The carrier is expected to have a cargo capacity of 2,300 cubic meters, equivalent to about 140 tons of liquefied hydrogen, positioning it as the largest of its kind once completed. The Ministry has established a joint promotion team that includes experts from various sectors to address the technical challenges of liquefied hydrogen storage and transportation. The planned ship will utilize advanced insulation and hybrid propulsion systems, setting new technological standards in the industry. Government involvement is deemed crucial due to the high value and technical risk associated with liquefied hydrogen carriers. Beyond the demonstration ship in 2027, South Korea aims to develop larger carriers by 2030 and commercialize 160,000 cbm vessels by 2040. To achieve these milestones, the Ministry has launched the 'Liquid Hydrogen Carrier Super-Gap Leading Strategy', focusing on SME support, technology development, and public-private collaboration. Currently, 43 R&D projects involving 101 organizations are ongoing, with efforts to align these initiatives and create a collaborative ecosystem for sustainable growth in the hydrogen shipping sector.
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