C-Job Naval Architects have designed a brand-new class of liquid H₂ tanker that will revolutionize the renewable energy market. The tanker concept, developed in partnership with LH2 Europe, is a critical element in realizing a green end-to-end liquid H₂ supply chain.

LH2 Europe will use the abundant renewable electricity in Scotland to produce green H₂ and market it at a competitive price with diesel. The new tanker will transport the liquid H² to terminals in Germany, with a strategic vision to expand supply to other markets as demand increases.

“Hydrogen will be essential to the future of energy. It is up to us how quickly we can make that happen. LH2 Europe aims to have a full liquid hydrogen supply chain ready by 2027,” said Dr. Peter Wells, CEO of LH2 Europe. “We plan to initially deliver 100 tpd of green hydrogen and ramp up production to 300 tpd within three years, depending on demand.”

“This tanker design is a key step in providing the infrastructure to make that clean energy future a reality. Current vessels in operation are not able to deliver hydrogen at the scale we expect will be required to meet the needs of the market,” he added.

LH2 Europe in collaboration with C-Job Naval Architects developed an initial design for a liquid H² tanker of 141 meters and a storage capacity of 37,500 m³.

Job Volwater, CCO at C-Job, says: “Liquid hydrogen provides unique challenges in ship design and engineering. As a comparison, LNG tankers use ballast water to compensate the loss of weight following delivery to ensure enough draft. As liquid hydrogen is high in volume but 20 times lighter than LNG, this required a unique solution. We have created a trapezium-shaped hull design which creates enough deck space to fit the tanks without the need for ballast.

“At C-Job, we have been researching alternative renewable fuels for many years and we are excited to work together with LH2 Europe to apply our knowledge and experience. Not only to realize a cleaner maritime industry but to support green energy across Europe.”

The vessel is powered by H₂ fuel cells and will be equipped with three liquid H₂ storage tanks with total capacity of 37,500 m³, which is enough to refuel 400,000 medium-sized H₂ cars or 20,000 heavy trucks. The tanks will have a much lower boil off than those currently used in the maritime industry. The limited remaining boil off will be captured and directly utilized in H₂ fuel cells, providing power to the vessel's propulsion systems, resulting in emissions of water only. The vessel itself will have zero greenhouse gas emissions during operations.

The ship is expected to be ready and commissioned six months before the first delivery of hydrogen in 2027.