South Korea Launches World’s Largest Hydrogen Carrier Project in Global Shipbuilding First
South Korea is taking a bold leap toward maritime energy transition, announcing plans to build the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier as part of a $39.5 million government-funded initiative in 2025. The effort unites the country’s shipbuilding titans — Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries — with top-tier research institutions to pioneer ultra-low temperature marine transport technology.
Ambitious 2040 Vision Begins With $39.5M Government-Backed Consortium
Led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE), the plan sets a strategic roadmap: deliver a 2,000 cbm demonstration vessel by 2027, scale to a 40,000 cbm design by 2032, and commercialize a 160,000 cbm hydrogen carrier by 2040. The initiative is aimed at securing a global leadership position in the emerging hydrogen maritime sector.
From 2,000 cbm by 2027 to 160,000 cbm by 2040: The Carrier Timeline
- 2027 – Launch of 2,000 cbm demonstration vessel (actual size: 2,300 cbm)
- 2032 – Technical readiness of 40,000 cbm class hydrogen carriers
- 2040 – Full commercialization of 160,000 cbm ultra-large hydrogen carrier
High-Tech Hurdles: -253°C Storage, Vacuum Insulation & Fuel Cell Propulsion
Hydrogen’s low boiling point (-253°C) demands sophisticated storage and safety systems. The proposed vessels will incorporate vacuum-insulated cryogenic tanks and hybrid fuel cell propulsion using naturally evaporated hydrogen gas from the cargo hold. MOTIE acknowledged these are some of the most difficult ships ever designed, with no commercial examples yet operating globally.
Bringing Together 101 R&D Institutions Under Unified Strategy
The initiative consolidates 43 R&D projects and 101 institutions under a national task force. The aim is to streamline Korea’s hydrogen carrier technology development and align regulatory, financial, and engineering efforts under one roadmap to global leadership.
Korea Aims to Set Global Hydrogen Shipping Standard
The world’s first commercial liquid hydrogen carrier may be over a decade away—but Korea’s unified public-private strategy, backed by deep technical expertise and industrial scale, sets it firmly in the lead. If successful, the project could redefine the future of green fuel transport at sea.