Woodside Energy - Experts & Thought Leaders

KR (Korean Register) has awarded the world's first Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD KSOE for its breakthrough vacuum-insulated large-scale liquid hydrogen tank system, marking a significant advancement in clean energy transportation technology. The AIP follows the successful completion of validation tests, demonstrating the system’s feasibility and innovative design. The transition to a hydrogen-based society demands advanced technologies for the large-scale transportation and storage of hydrogen. However, the extreme cryogenic conditions required for liquid hydrogen storage at –253°C have long posed significant challenges. Key challenges by cutting-edge solutions HD KSOE united with pioneering global hydrogen industry stakeholders, including Woodside Energy and MOL HD KSOE has independently developed a vacuum-insulated liquid hydrogen tank system that addresses key challenges by introducing cutting-edge solutions. This innovative system dramatically reduces the time required to create a vacuum in large tanks, shortening the process from several months to just a few days. Last December, HD KSOE collaborated with pioneering global hydrogen industry stakeholders, including Woodside Energy, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), and Hyundai Glovis, to conduct rigorous validation tests. These tests marked a groundbreaking achievement as the world’s first successful demonstration of the feasibility of scaling up liquid hydrogen tanks, while dramatically reducing vacuum processing time. HD KSOE's technological excellence KR evaluated the system's compliance with domestic and international standards, confirming its effectiveness and stability and granting the AIP as a result. KIM Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR's R&D Division, commented: "This AIP reflects HD KSOE's technological excellence and highlights the promising potential of the hydrogen industry. KR remains committed to supporting the safety and technological progress of this vital sector." Energy transition and net-zero goals KR evaluated the system's compliance with domestic and international norms, confirming its energy and stability "HD KSOE has been dedicated to providing technological solutions for large-scale energy shipping such as LNG, LPG, Ammonia, CO2, and now hydrogen," said YOO Byeongyong, Vice President at HD KSOE. "This hydrogen vacuum system solution and large-scale validation test are part of these efforts. We will continue collaborating with pioneering global companies to drive the energy transition and achieve net-zero goals." Jason Crusan, VP Energy Solutions at Woodside Energy, highlighted the significance of this achievement: "This is a key achievement which builds confidence that liquid hydrogen ships can be efficiently designed and constructed in a shipyard environment." Important step towards commercialisation Jotaro Tamura, Senior Managing Executive Officer at MOL, added: "This verification test was a major milestone in the study of transporting liquefied hydrogen, where one of the major issues was the need to increase the size of the tank, and is an important step towards commercialisation." KWON Chi-O, Vice President at Hyundai Glovis said: "Achieving this remarkable milestone as the world’s first to successfully verify tank scale-up, HD KSOE has demonstrated the dedication and innovation of the research. We hope this achievement serves as a strong foundation for future advancements in the field."

DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for its electric propulsion liquefied hydrogen (LH2) carrier design concept that could enable 80,000 cubic metres of LH2 storage and transport. The AiP awarding ceremony will take place at Gastech, Houston. Maritime transportation value chain This milestone forms part of a broader collaboration involving industry pioneers, HD KSOE, Woodside Energy (Woodside), Hyundai Glovis, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), aimed at developing an integrated maritime transportation value chain for large-scale liquid hydrogen. The vessel is equipped with HD Hyundai's new large liquid hydrogen tanks featuring advanced vacuum insulation and an electric propulsion system with Hydrogen Dual Fuel HiMSEN engines, allowing flexible fuel use between diesel and hydrogen. Hull design and cargo handling The AiP from DNV verifies that HD KSOE’s electric propulsion LH2 carrier design concept complies in principle The newly developed hull design and cargo handling system is targeted to provide greater operational efficiency and commercial flexibility. The AiP from DNV verifies that HD KSOE’s electric propulsion LH2 carrier design concept complies in principle with the safety, environmental, and technical standards necessary for the safe and efficient transport of LH2.  HAZID and ENVID studies As part of this AiP project, DNV also conducted detailed and comprehensive Hazard Identification (HAZID) and Environmental Impact Identification (ENVID) studies, which are crucial for evaluating and mitigating potential risks associated with the design and operation of the electric LH2 carrier. Chang Kwang-pil, Chief Technology Officer of HD KSOE said, "This AiP from DNV is a crucial validation of our commitment to developing a reliable and cost-effective LH2 carrier." Hydrogen shipping supply chains Chang Kwang-pil adds, "Achieving this goal requires collective effort across the LH2 shipping value chain, and we are committed to driving progress through continuous collaboration and innovation." Julie Fallon, Executive Vice President of Technical & Energy Development from Woodside stated, "We have made clear progress in the pursuit of developing cost-effective and flexible large-scale liquid hydrogen shipping supply chains to support our customers’ needs, thanks to the investment and collaborative effort of all parties involved." Prevention and mitigation measures Tae Woo Kim, Senior Vice President of the Shipping Business Division from Hyundai Glovis, continued, "Through the collaboration with industry pioneers across the LH2 value chain, resulting in an AiP from DNV, we, as a ship owner, have gone through the process of identifying hazards, assessed risks and reviewed prevention and mitigation measures. This process will collectively guide and help us better protect lives, cargo, and the ship itself." Jotaro Tamura, Managing Director of MOL (Asia Oceania), Senior Management Executive Officer of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines noted, "We are very pleased with the progress made in the development of the LH2 carrier since we joined the project in February 2024." Global hydrogen economy Jotaro Tamura adds, "We would like to use our technical and operational knowledge, cultivated through many years of shipping experience, to contribute towards the establishment of a hydrogen supply chain continuously." Vidar Dolonen, DNV Regional Manager for Korea & Japan, stated, "The AiP is another vital step towards building a global hydrogen economy, through safer and more efficient long distance of LH2. DNV is honoured to be involved in this project and to support the development of cutting-edge energy solutions."

DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and its subsidiaries HD Hyundai Heavy Industry (HD HHI) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for their new hydrogen system. Hydrogen carrier technology HD KSOE aims to complete the development of hydrogen carrier technology that enables large-capacity hydrogen transportation and storage by around 2030. Sustainably produced zero and low-carbon hydrogen has been identified as a key part of the world’s energy transition. Shipping transport challenges Shipping has an important role in unlocking the use of hydrogen in decarbonising heavy industries Efficient transport by ship faces several challenges, including the complexity of holding hydrogen at minus 253 degrees Celsius, some 100 degrees colder than LNG, at large scale. But finding solutions to this challenge is vital, as shipping has an important role in unlocking the use of hydrogen in decarbonising heavy industries, such as steel and cement production. Hybrid propulsion system HD KSOE's new system utilises boil-off gas from hydrogen transport for a hybrid propulsion system, integrating hydrogen DF engines and fuel cells. Collaborating globally, HD KSOE and partners like Woodside Energy and Linde Engineering are exploring new hydrogen transportation and storage solutions, aiming to commercialise their advancements by 2030. Dr. Sungjun Kim, CTO at HD KSOE, said, "We are continuously developing world-class technology in liquefied hydrogen following our achievements in methanol, ammonia, and CO2 carriers. With our hydrogen system, we will pioneer technology advances in transitioning to a carbon-neutral society.” New design standards Vidar Dolonen, DNV Regional Manager for Korea & Japan, added, "To build confidence and overcome the challenges of hydrogen transport for shipping, we need to bring many different partners together, build on the learnings from other fuels and industries, and adapt technologies to the maritime environment." "This is why we are very pleased to be working with innovative partners to help establish new design standards to create the next generation of hydrogen carriers and help this emerging segment develop and succeed.” Hydrogen shipping The roles of hydrogen producers, consumers, and shipyards are crucial to realise hydrogen shipping" Maria Gonzalez-Perez, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Portfolio New Energy of Woodside Energy, stated, "This new system is expected to accelerate the development of the hydrogen shipping value chain." "The roles of hydrogen producers, consumers, and shipyards are crucial to realise hydrogen shipping. Through ongoing collaboration, we hope to develop solutions to accelerate the growth of hydrogen.” Bridging the hydrogen value chain gap Lars Blum, the Managing Director of Linde Kryotechnik, noted, "Linde Kryotechnik is pleased to collaborate with the shipbuilding company HD KSOE on technology and to bridge an existing gap in the hydrogen value chain. Through this cooperation, the technologies and expertise of world-class companies are brought together to help unlock the massive potential of hydrogen.” Samuel Zouaghi, CEO of Cryostar, commented, "Cryostar is progressively developing hydrogen equipment, both on land and at sea. Leveraging our expertise, we will develop equipment that aligns perfectly with the newly developed system and hydrogen vessels.”