Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces that it has received orders from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. to supply integrated automation systems for a 40,000 m³ liquefied hydrogen carrier that will be the world’s largest vessel of its type, and for two hydrogen-fueled vessels. The company will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by supporting the promotion of new energy utilization through the provision of monitoring and control solutions for the hydrogen supply chain, including storage and transportation.
As the adoption of hydrogen accelerates, establishing a supply chain capable of safely transporting and storing large volumes of hydrogen is increasingly important. Liquefied hydrogen is expected to play a key role in such a supply chain, while efforts to use hydrogen as a maritime fuel are also progressing. In Japan, demonstration projects covering the entire hydrogen supply chain are underway for the commercialization of liquefied hydrogen.
The system that Yokogawa will supply for the liquefied hydrogen carrier provides integrated monitoring and control of onboard equipment and incorporates emergency shutdown functions. It supports the safe and efficient handling of liquefied hydrogen that is transported at extremely low temperatures, helping to ensure safe and reliable vessel operations. In addition, its advanced integrated control capabilities will help to improve equipment performance and reduce crew workload throughout the vessel’s lifecycle.
Yokogawa has also received an order to supply integrated automation systems for marine hydrogen fuel systems (MHFS) that are to be installed on hydrogen-fueled vessels. An MHFS consists of liquefied hydrogen tanks and fuel supply equipment, and is a key technology for advancing maritime decarbonization.
These vessels are being built as part of a Green Innovation Fund project led by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and will support safe, large-scale maritime transportation, contributing to the development of the liquefied hydrogen supply chain and the transition to a sustainable society.
Koji Nakaoka, a Yokogawa Electric executive vice president & executive officer and head of the company’s Energy & Sustainability Business Headquarters, commented, “Yokogawa has extensive experience with liquefied natural gas carriers, and our technology is also being applied to liquefied hydrogen carriers. Leveraging the technologies and expertise we have developed in the field of control and safety instrumentation, we will continue to provide solutions that support safe and reliable operations for our customers in the energy sector, including hydrogen.”