New-look hydrogen carrier unveiled in Norway

Norwegian shipping technology company CryoVac has received an approval in principle (AiP) from classification society DNV for its vacuum insulation system for liquid hydrogen (LH2), a different format for transporting this nascent seaborne trade. 

“The AiP is an important milestone for CryoVac in bringing our vacuum insulation system to the market and start engaging with shipowners and ship designers that wish to become frontrunners within shipping of liquid hydrogen,” said Aage Bjørn Andersen, CEO of CryoVac.

CryoVac has developed the world’s first LH2 containment design that uses prismatic tanks for ship transport of liquid hydrogen, where its proprietary CryoPan hexagonal vacuum insulation panel plays a key role. The CryoVac approach comprises an externally insulated IMO Type B-inspired self-supporting prismatic tank positioned in an inert and insulated hold. CryoPan vacuum insulation panels are then welded together and applied to both the tank as well as the hold surfaces.

“Our hexagonal vacuum panels are welded together into continuous surfaces and configured to form a hybrid insulation system allowing simple prismatic tanks to be applied for LH2 carriage. This provides efficient insulation with very low boil-off rate, without challenging the integrity of the steel,” said Andersen.

The next step for CryoVac is to develop a 45.000 cu m, long-haul LH2 carrier comprising three cargo holds each holding a 15.000 cu m tank. The intention is that the vessel will both transport liquid hydrogen and run on hydrogen, enabling zero-emission shipping.

“There is a lot of interest worldwide for a safe and cost-efficient solution for shipping of liquid hydrogen. This is the technology gap we are aiming to fill. We will going forward be entering into dialogue with shipowners and hydrogen producers that share the ambition of realizing a global supply chain for liquid hydrogen,” said Andersen.