HD Hyundai, Shell to develop liquefied hydrogen carrier

HD Hyundai Co., a South Korean shipbuilding and machinery conglomerate, announced on Friday that it will collaborate with global energy company Shell to develop liquefied hydrogen maritime transport technology.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), subsidiaries of HD Hyundai Co., recently signed an agreement with Shell at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center (GRC) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to jointly develop a liquefied hydrogen carrier (LHC).

Under the agreement, HD KSOE will develop key technologies such as large liquefied hydrogen tanks and hydrogen cargo management systems. HD HHI will be responsible for developing hydrogen engines and designing the LHC.

Shell will share its expertise in carrier operations and technology development and assess the LHC design's feasibility.

Both companies aim to develop a large LHC with a target commercialization date of 2030, aiming to lead the emerging liquefied hydrogen maritime transport market.

Last year, HD Hyundai received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Norway’s DNV for its self-developed hydrogen cargo system for large hydrogen carriers.

Write to Jae-Fu Kim at hu@hankyung.com