ClassNK has issued guidance n how to build kiquid hydrogen carriers.
There are as yet no dedicated liquid hydrogen carriers, but in an age of environmental awareness their existence is pending as countries plan to use hydrogen as a future power source to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon fuels.
In a statement the Japanese class society said that currently, the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) outlines safety requirements for gas carriers like LNG, but there are no specific requirements defined in the code applicable for hydrogen carriers, which take into account the particular properties of the gas (such as storage as minus 253 degrees to maintain a liquid state).
Japan has already indicated it intention to use hydrogen carriers to ship the liquid from Australia to Japan.
Last year the IMO agreed developed interim recommendations for the carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk, which were adopted at its Maritime Safety Committee meeting. Class NK has taken these interim recommendations and other international recommendations to form the first class guidelines.
More details from the ClassNK press release
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