Korean steelmaker Posco and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), a Hyundai group company have partnered to develop stainless steel hydrogen fuel tanks, which will be an integral part of hydrogen-fueled ships of the future.
An MOU for this development was signed between KSOE, Posco, the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) and Hylium Industries. These four organizations will collaborate to develop liquefied hydrogen fuel tanks for vessels. The focus will be on developing fuel tanks and fuel supply systems for vessel and developing stainless steel for storage and transport of liquefied hydrogen. They will also work closely to manufacture and commercialize hydrogen fuel tanks hydrogen-powered ships.
Test-production of liquefied hydrogen fuel tanks for small ships is scheduled by the end of this year, after which they will develop tanks for large vessels.
Posco will focus on developing cryogenic SS products for storage and transport of liquefied hydrogen, while Hylium will provide expertise in manufacturing hydrogen tanks for ships. KRISO will study the safety of the tanks and develop fuel supply technology. KSOE has already acquired a vessel classification certificate for a commercial liquefied hydrogen carrier in 2020 and will focus on expediting the commercialization of hydrogen ships.