CB&I, a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott, and Korean world-class shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean have received Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a cargo containment system and an 80,000 m³ liquid H₂ (LH₂) carrier from DNV, a leading classification society for shipping. DNV formalized the AiP with executives from each company at the Gastech Exhibition & Conference held in Houston on September 17.

The AiP confirms CB&I's cargo containment systems meets applicable safety standards including class rules, the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), as well as the Interim Recommendations for Carriage of Liquefied H₂ in Bulk, Resolution MSC.420(97), issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

"Hanwha Ocean's expertise in gas carriers perfectly complements CB&I's expertise in large-scale storage and handling systems for liquid H₂," said Mark Butts, Senior Vice President for CB&I. "Together we have created a safe, efficient liquid H₂ carrier design with low boil-off of 0.05% per day. This carrier makes plans for international liquid H₂ supply chains possible today."

CB&I is supporting Hanwha Ocean's carrier design with its cargo containment system consisting of vacuum-insulated double-wall spheres for LH₂ transport, which has also been approved by DNV. CB&I has more than 60 years of experience in onshore LH₂ storage tank design and construction worldwide.

"Since last year, we have been working in a tripartite agreement with CB&I and DNV to develop an 80,000 m³ medium-sized liquid H₂ carrier," elaborated Youngchang Shon, CTO, Head of Product & Technology Strategy at Hanwha Ocean. "Our comprehensive research has included verifying the basic performance and structural safety, cargo handling system (CHS), and the conceptual design of an eco-friendly electric propulsion system incorporating H₂ fuel cells."

"Collaboration has always been a key to overcoming new challenges. We are now witnessing an exemplary scene of cooperation where two global leaders in H₂ and shipbuilding sectors work together closely to realize the shipping of liquid H₂, the future medium of renewable energy," expressed Vidar Dolonen, Regional Manager of DNV Korea and Japan. "At DNV, we are pleased to join CB&I and Hanwha Ocean in their efforts to improve the level of technical maturity and also present the way for the future of liquid H₂ transportation by showing various propulsion options for LH₂ carriers."