MOL, KEPCO collaborate to drive hydrogen shipping forward

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Kansai Electric Power Co (KEPCO) aims to revolutionise the marine transport of liquefied hydrogen, a cornerstone for the emerging hydrogen economy.

The collaboration focuses on designing and creating the operational environment required for hydrogen carriers while addressing safety and regulatory challenges.

This initiative aligns with findings from an International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) report highlighting the need for 300 hydrogen carriers by 2030 to achieve European Union targets.

Professor Stefan Ulreich, who authored the ICS report, noted, "To meet a global increase of 30M tonnes of hydrogen traded, up to 411 new vessels may be required."

Hydrogen’s potential to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors drives its demand and the MOL-KEPCO collaboration includes feasibility studies, technical designs and regulatory alignment, aiming to ensure hydrogen’s seamless integration into global energy systems.

These carriers form the missing link in hydrogen’s value chain, stressing safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Innovative designs such as compressed hydrogen carriers and ammonia-based solutions are also emerging, and MOL and KEPCO’s exploration of liquefied hydrogen represents another step toward securing infrastructure for this clean fuel’s global adoption.