PERTH-Australia –  A compressed hydrogen carrier design with a 430-tonne cargo capacity by Global Energy Ventures (GEV) has received Approval in Principle (AIP) from ABS.

AIP for the Handymax vessel, which GEV intends to be the first commercial-scale vessel available for the marine transport of hydrogen, follows an ABS AIP which GEV received in July this year for a compressed hydrogen vessel with a 2,000-tonne capacity.

“Hydrogen has a significant role to play in global decarbonization initiatives both within shipping and the wider economy. Safe and efficient transport of hydrogen at sea will be critical to the development of the infrastructure required for its wider adoption and we are proud to be able to support GEV with its innovative designs,” said Georgios Plevrakis, ABS Director, Global Sustainability. 

Martin Carolan, Managing Director and CEO said: “GEV is pleased to secure AIP from ABS, which is a leading classification society for gas carriers. GEV is looking forward to working with them to ensure that our compressed hydrogen ships continue to meet the highest safety standards. Marine storage and transport solutions are required for hydrogen to contribute to global decarbonization ambitions.”

GEV’s Handymax design is able to enter most ports and is equipped with a dual-fuel engine powering generators coupled with two electric-drive fixed pitch propellers or a dynamic positioning system. 

ABS’s AIP was granted following a review of GEV’s design in accordance with the ABS Guidance Notes on Review and Approval of Novel Concepts incorporating relevant principles from the ABS Guide for Vessels Intended to Carry Compressed Natural Gases in Bulk and the IMO IGF Code. 

The hydrogen containment system, patent-pending, is the most critical component of the company’s Handymax vessel. It is made up of two large (20 metre diameter) tanks, contained within the hull of the ship, that will store ambient temperature hydrogen at an operating pressure of 3,600 psi (250 bar) and will have a combined containment capacity of 2,000 tonnes of hydrogen.

“This has been the result of significant effort by the company’s management team, lead by Martin Carolan, and GEV’s technical and engineering team in Canada. The team delivered this critical milestone several months ahead of schedule and under budget,” Maurice Brand, GEV Executive Chairman & CEO, said when the containment system was approved by ABS.