CO₂-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain
Technology Research Association

On 4th March 2023, HySTRA successfully conducted liquefied hydrogen cargo handling test using world's first Rigid Type Loading Arm System (LAS) for Ship-to-Shore Transfer of Liquefied Hydrogen which is newly installed at the “Hy touch Kobe”. The Rigid Type LAS is a more practical specification because the entire system is more compact compared to the existing Hose Type LAS which is advantageous to increase the size of the system in the near future.

HySTRA will continue to conduct liquefied hydrogen cargo handling tests using these LASs to establish safer and more efficient cargo handling operation.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) completed a series of investigations into an incident that occurred on 25 January 2022 during the use of the gas combustion unit (GCU) on board the pilot demonstration vessel "Suiso Frontier" berthed at the Port of Hastings, Australia. The final report was released on 2 February 2023.

The final report concludes that one of the two air fan discharge dampers in the GCU closed due to the failure of the solenoid valve that controls the damper. The cause of this solenoid valve failure was that the incorrect type of solenoid valve was installed during manufacturing. As a result, the air supply to the GCU stopped, and the hydrogen flame, which had been burning normally, became unstable, and the flame propagated out the unit’s chimney (the vent stack) on the deck of the ship, as expected. The ATSB report also mentions that the GCU needs to be equipped to detect whether the dampers are open or closed.

As reported in the previous report (https://www.hystra.or.jp/en/gallery/article.html#news07), when the onboard operator saw the light and smoke from this vent stack for a few seconds, the GCU was immediately and safely shut down manually, causing no human, equipment or environmental damage.

In parallel with the ATSB investigation, HySTRA replaced the solenoid valve that caused the malfunction with a new valve according to the unit’s specifications, and the GCU control system logic has been programmed with added safety parameters which will automatically shut down the GCU if a similar fault is detected. To date, HySTRA has confirmed these modifications satisfy the safety measures recommended by the ATSB in its final report and also once again confirmed the quality control system with all relevant parties in order to prevent recurrence of the problem.

HySTRA continues to focus on safety as it delivers hydrogen energy supply chains.

For the ATSB's final investigation report (English), please visit the ATSB website at https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2022/mair/mo-2022-001

On 25 January 2022, while the Suiso Frontier was moored at the port of Hastings, the one of the two solenoid valve systems (device for transmitting instructions to the damper) in the gas combustion unit (GCU) suddenly stopped, and a ship crew observed a lighting and smoke in the gas combustion unit (GCU) on the vessel for a few seconds, that was presumed to be a small flame. The crew immediately and safely performed a manual shutdown of the unit. There were no injuries and no damage to equipment and environment.

HySTRA reported the incident to the Australian Maritime Services Authority (AMSA) within the day, and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) inspected the vessel on 27 January. On 28 January, with a confirmation there is no issue for navigation as the GCU can be used by switching over from the one solenoid valve system (failed one) to the other system, the vessel was cleared to depart by AMSA and left for Japan. On 8 March, after the vessel arrived in Kobe, HySTRA made the necessary parts replacement. The pilot voyage continues after the gas combustion unit was confirmed to be operating normally without incident recurrence.

HySTRA reported the completion of the measures to the AMSA on 18 March, and an investigation is underway by the ATSB. HySTRA is conducting the second round of demonstration tests of the Suiso Frontier between Japan and Australia. When the vessel safely arrived the port of Hastings on 3 May, HySTRA reported the continuation of safe navigation to the ATSB.

HySTRA takes safety seriously, and will continue to strive for the safe operation of the Suiso Frontier and work on the hydrogen supply chain demonstration project.

Please see the following for the ATSB investigation report (English):
Investigation: MO-2022-001 - Gas control equipment malfunction on board the gas tanker Suiso Frontier at Western Port, Hastings, Victoria on 25 January 2022 (atsb.gov.au)

On February 25, 2022, “Suiso Frontier” loaded with liquefied hydrogen derived from Australian Brown Coal returned to the Liquefied Hydrogen Receiving Terminal “Hy touch Kobe”
The world’s first long-distance voyage demonstration test has been finished. However, HySTRA will continue to carry out loading/Unloading test and Verification of acquired data, and continue the pilot demonstration project for establishing Hydrogen Energy Supply Chains.

On January 20th, 2022 “Suiso Frontier”, which left the Liquefied Hydrogen Receiving Terminal “Hy touch Kobe” on December 24th, 2021, arrived at a Liquefied Hydrogen Loading Base in Hasting Port, Victoria, Australia.
We plan to return to Kobe from  mid to late February after conducting liquefied hydrogen cargo handling tests and various equipment inspections in Australia.

On December 24, SUISO FRONTIER, the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, set sail from Kobe, Japan to officially commences its maiden voyage to Australia. This milestone marks the start of the first technology demonstration for international transport of hydrogen of the CO2-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Association (HySTRA).

The SUISO FRONTIER left the liquefied hydrogen receiving terminal "Hy touch Kobe” on December 24, and it is expected to arrive at Hastings in Victoria, Australia for the loading of hydrogen after a two-week voyage.

After its arrival, various field tests will be conducted, and SUISO FRONTIER is scheduled to return to Kobe loaded with liquefied hydrogen generated from brown coal in the middle of February, 2022.

HySTRA will be fully engaged in the completion of the two-month technology demonstration of transporting liquified hydrogen, whichis expected to contribute to achieve carbon neutrality in the future.

On December 3, SUISO FRONTIER became the world’s first vessel to be officially classified as a liquefied hydrogen carrier, after being registered by the General Incorporated Association Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).

The SUISO FRONTIER is the world’s first technology demonstration of the CO2-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Association (HySTRA). Because of increased awareness of an environment, hydrogen has a critical role to play in delivering energy while lowering carbon dioxide emissions and efforts are underway to enable scaled up supply and demand through this pilot project. HySTRA aims to demonstrate the feasibility of safely transporting liquefied hydrogen across international waters.

Hydrogen is converted from gas to liquid and reduces in volume by 1/800 by cooling down to a cryogenic level of -253 degrees Celsius. Such reduction in volume allows more efficient transportation. For safe transportation of mass volumes of hydrogen, SUISO FRONTIER underwent ClassNK surveys on in line with its class rules and "Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers" describing the safety requirements based on the IMO’s Interim Recommendations for Carriage of Liquefied Hydrogen in Bulk. On December 3, Suiso Frontier was registered for classification.

SUISO FRONTIER was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and will be managed and operated by Shell/STASCO while transporting hydrogen produced in Australia by Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER) to Liquefied Hydrogen Receiving terminal "Hy touch Kobe”, which is managed and operated by Iwatani Corporation. The objective is to start a large-scale international marine transport demonstration of liquefied hydrogen. A detailed schedule will be coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies of Japan and Australia, to ensure safety of travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The liquefied hydrogen storage system is currently being installed on the SUISO FRONTIER, and staff will then need to carry out cooling tests on the system, test propulsion equipment and also test operating methods.
Once testing is complete the SUISO FRONTIER will be ready to carry out a world first, by transporting liquefied hydrogen by ship between Japan and Australia. The SUISO FRONTIER will be loaded with liquefied hydrogen at -253 degress celcius, by the ‘Hy touch Kobe’ liquefied hydrogen terminal in Kobe, Japan.
The test is currently delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing overseas engineers for equipment from entering Japan as scheduled but we are working hard to progress the project and aim to start the demonstration of liquefied hydrogen loading in summer this year.
Should all go to schedule we hope the SUISO FRONTIER can begin her maiden voyage, with the cooperation of the Japanese and Australian governments in the second half of the 2021 fiscal year.

The brown coal gasification / hydrogen purification demonstration facility (supported by the Victorian, Australian and Japanese Governments)

The brown coal gasification / hydrogen purification demonstration facility, having been constructed by J-Power Group at Latrobe Valley site (Victoria, Australia), started hydrogen production on 23th January 2021 and achieved a target purity of 99.999% on 25th February 2021.
In 2021, we will confirm stability of hydrogen production, and will verify the effect of biomass blending to the gasification property. The produced hydrogen will be transported to the hydrogen liquefaction / loading base at Hastings Port in the state by trailer and to Japan by the SUISO FRONTIER.