GTT, TotalEnergies, LMG Marin and Bureau Veritas have signed an agreement for a Joint Development Project (JDP) to develop a 150,000 m3 capacity liquid hydrogen (LH2) carrier concept design.
Hydrogen is one of the potentially zero-carbon fuels that is being considered for use in marine applications of the future. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources, utilizing conventional or renewable energy, which determines the cost of the fuel to the end user as well as its lifecycle carbon footprint.
Understanding the potential of Hydrogen as a marine fuel
The heating value of hydrogen is the highest among all candidate future marine fuels at 120 megajoules per kg. However, its energy density per unit of volume, even when liquefied, is significantly lower than that of distillates. Compressed hydrogen at 700 bar has only ~15% the energy density of diesel, thus storing the same amount of energy onboard requires tanks to be seven times larger.
This means that compressed or liquefied storage of pure hydrogen may be practical only for small ships that have frequent access to bunkering stations. The deep-sea fleet may need a different medium as a hydrogen carrier, such as ammonia or Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers, to limit significant loss of cargo space.
The JDP partners will leverage their combined expertise and know-how to develop a large-scale LH2 carrier concept that can be implemented on an industrial scale for the maritime transport of liquefied hydrogen.
- TotalEnergies will work on defining the vessel’s specifications including operational profile;
- GTT will design the membrane containment system, considering the constraints related to liquefied hydrogen;
- LMG Marin will define the concept design of the LH2 carrier adapted to TotalEnergies’ specifications and taking into account the constraints related to the membrane containment system;
- Bureau Veritas will conduct a risk assessment and review the design in accordance with the latest regulatory requirements and will ensure it meets Bureau Veritas’ rules with the goal to deliver an Approval in Principle.
This partnership and the associated R&D efforts are part of the GTT Group’s ambition to develop technologies to help build a sustainable world.
… said Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT
Complementary industry players working together is an effective approach to de-risking and accelerating the deployment of the hydrogen value chain. We are confident that this JDP will shed light on the prospects of transporting hydrogen at scale in liquefied form.
… said Mansur Zhakupov, VP of Hydrogen at TotalEnergies
Vincent Rudelle, Managing Director of LMG Marin France, declared that the compeny will be able to share its LH2 experience with the HYDRA project, the world’s first vessel powered by liquid hydrogen currently in operation in Norway. This confirms that emission reductions initiatives and highly innovative projects are part of the company’s DNA.
As a class society, we recognise our responsibility to support the safe development of innovative projects like this, and we are committed to ensuring that this project meets the highest safety and environmental standards.
… commented Matthieu de Tugny, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
