GEV to build hydrogen transport ship

Marine transport solutions provider Global Energy Ventures has begun development of a pilot scale compressed hydrogen (C-H2) ship with a cargo capacity of 430 tonnes of hydrogen, a move bringing the export of green hydrogen to Asia as a replacement for polluting LNG a step closer.

The 430 tonne ship will be a scaled down version of a 2,000 tonne C-H2 ship that received approval in principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping in March 2021.

Global Energy Ventures, which has experience designing compressed gas carriers, is targeting ABS AIP approval in the third quarter of this year and full class approval in late 2022.

CEO Martin Carolan said: “GEV’s design and development strategy for the 2,000 tonne ship proved that large commercial scale C-H2 ships are possible and paved the way for the development of a pilot-scale version.

“The 430 tonne ship is an ideal size to meet the needs of the current emerging H2 marine transportation industry and will ensure we establish ourselves in the marine transportation of green hydrogen.”

GEV has appointed Capilano Maritime, C-FER Technologies, Tekkara Project Services and the American Bureau of Shipping for the engineering design and safety analysis required to achieve class approvals.

They began work on June 1 and will also focus on material selection, welding specifications and prototype design for the ABS testing program which will take place next year.

Carolan said the pilot size ship matched the scale and supply and demand for green hydrogen in the mid to late 2020s.

“A pilot scale ship will be complementary to partner discussions and GEV’s target to develop a fully integrated hydrogen supply chain from Northern Australia.

“This includes GEV’s own renewable energy project to produce green hydrogen based on a specific customer use case, delivered with our own C-H2 ships.”

The company plans a renewable energy and hydrogen export project of up to 1.5 GW.

The pilot ship design allows for two circular 12m diameter tanks at an operating pressure of 250 bar contained within the hull of the ship (pictured).

GEV considers the initial market for green hydrogen to be for blending hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines as a means of stimulating investment into supply.

“Regions with aspirations to develop a low-carbon hydrogen economy are likely to turn to grid injection as a means of cultivating a market and stimulating investment into supply.”

Picture: Global Energy Ventures

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