HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, in collaboration with leading European institutions, is embarking on a pioneering research project focused on developing the world’s first large-scale hydrogen cargo tanks.
This initiative stems from an agreement between the European Union and South Korea aimed at fostering technological innovation and cooperation.
The research project, selected under the EU’s Horizon Europe program, aims to advance the development of cutting-edge technologies. HD Korea’s participation is facilitated through the newly established HD European Research Center in Germany.
With its extensive experience as the world’s leading builder of large-scale gas carriers, HD Korea seeks to leverage its expertise in tank design to make significant contributions to the hydrogen tank project. The company boasts a remarkable track record, having secured the largest number of orders for gas carriers and maintaining a substantial order backlog in the sector.
Already, HD Korea has been working on various aspects of tank design, and recently received an Approval in Principle (AIP) from the Nor-Shipping Korean Register (KR) for a novel tank shape. The innovative design addresses the challenge of sloshing during the transportation of liquefied gases, such as LNG, by enhancing stability and reducing the sloshing effect. HD Korea plans to apply this new tank shape to different liquefied gas carriers and propulsion ships.
The research consortium, composed of 14 organizations, aims to develop a 160,000 cubic meter liquefied hydrogen cargo tank. Over the course of the next four years, a total investment of €10 million will be dedicated to the research project. Participants in the consortium include global classification society ABS, engineering companies like HYDRUS and TWI, and esteemed institutions renowned for their expertise in design, production, performance, and risk assessment, such as the Technical University of Dresden and the Technical University of Athens.
The development of this large-scale tank is of utmost significance as the global focus on hydrogen as a prominent alternative energy source intensifies. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering believes that this research endeavor will contribute to the establishment of vital global standards necessary for the growth of the hydrogen ecosystem.
In addition to this research effort, HD Korea has also received DNV classification certification for a hydrogen carrier system utilizing the Himsen engine. The company aims to develop a complete hydrogen engine by 2025, further reinforcing its commitment to shaping a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem.
