Touted as the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, Suiso Frontier will moor at the Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat. The event marks the first-ever visit of the Suiso Frontier to the Sultanate of Oman, a nation eagerly embracing hydrogen technology. Crafted by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), the renowned Japanese ship manufacturer, the vessel symbolizes an important step in Oman’s commitment to becoming a global leader in clean hydrogen production and export.
Incorporating cutting-edge advancements, KHI engineered the Suiso Frontier. The visit also aligns with the Oman government’s strategic emphasis on hydrogen production, a key component of its ambition to spearhead the clean energy movement worldwide. The ship’s completion in 2020 stands as a testament to KHI’s technical expertise, as the company draws from its deep-rooted involvement in the Hydrogen Council.
The Suiso Frontier’s primary mission centres on showcasing Japanese innovation to facilitate the global adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source. This visit seeks to foster collaboration for large-scale hydrogen transportation and to establish robust global supply chains using the vessel as a preferred carrier. Supported by the Japanese government, the ship boasts a length of 116 meters and a width of 19 meters. It houses a double tank with an impressive capacity of 1,250 cubic meters, meticulously designed to store and maintain hydrogen at a frigid temperature of -253 degrees Celsius.
The arrival of the Suiso Frontier echoes Oman’s steadfast commitment to advancing the green hydrogen economy. This ship, which previously reached a significant milestone by effectively conveying liquefied hydrogen from Australia to Japan in February 2022, demonstrates its capability to transport substantial quantities of LH2 over considerable distances at sea.
Earlier milestones in the journey of the Suiso Frontier include its arrival at Australia’s Victoria’s Port of Hastings and its subsequent journey from Japan to Australia. These events were pivotal in the USD 355 million Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) project, a venture that involves extracting, liquefying, and transporting LH2 via sea to international markets.
The Suiso Frontier’s mission from Port Hastings to Kobe, Japan, was focused on validating the technical feasibility of a global hydrogen supply chain. This effort is targeted towards commercialization in the early 2030s.
An essential component of the Suiso Frontier’s capability to securely transport cryogenic liquefied hydrogen lies in its vacuum-insulated double-wall cargo tank. Kawasaki has experience in handling cryogenic liquefied hydrogen for rocket fuel and maritime transportation of liquefied natural gas.
The promotion of hydrogen as an export commodity aligns with Oman’s commitment to decarbonization and achieving Net Zero by 2050. The voyage of the Suiso Frontier is a crucial stride toward establishing commercially viable hydrogen supply chains in an ever-expanding global hydrogen market.
