South Korea's Ambitious Project: Building the World's Largest Liquid Hydrogen Carrier
Key Ideas
  • South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy is leading a project to construct the world's largest liquid hydrogen carrier (LHC) through collaboration with top shipbuilders and experts.
  • The project, supported by 55.5 billion won ($39.5 million) in government funding, aims to develop the necessary technology and ship designs for liquefied hydrogen carriers by 2040.
  • By 2027, a 2,000 cbm demonstration ship will be completed, leading to the construction of even larger vessels in 2030 and 2032, with a vision to commercialize a 160,000 cbm vessel by 2040.
  • The initiative highlights South Korea's efforts to pioneer in hydrogen transportation, with plans to establish a green shipping corridor by 2027, showcasing the country's commitment to sustainable practices.
South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy has unveiled an ambitious project to establish the world's largest liquid hydrogen carrier (LHC) through a strategic public-private partnership. This initiative involves collaboration between leading shipbuilders like Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries, as well as experts from universities and research institutes. With a substantial government funding of 55.5 billion won ($39.5 million), the project aims to pioneer the technology and designs necessary for liquefied hydrogen carriers, targeting the commercialization of a 160,000 cbm vessel by 2040. The development timeline includes the completion of a 2,000 cbm demonstration ship by 2027, followed by larger vessels in 2030 and 2032. The Ministry emphasized the importance of government support in mitigating the risks associated with the technical complexity of LHCs and facilitating market expansion. Furthermore, South Korea's commitment to sustainable practices is evident through its plans to launch a US-South Korean green shipping corridor in 2027, aligning with global efforts towards green transportation and energy innovation.
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