Partnership Aims to Certify Liquid Hydrogen Shipping Systems
Lloyd’s Register and Pusan National University are developing a global certification framework for liquid hydrogen transport systems, targeting safer storage, pipelines and maritime infrastructure.
(P&GJ) — Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Pusan National University have partnered to develop a global certification framework for liquid hydrogen transport and storage systems, targeting a key gap in emerging hydrogen infrastructure.
The agreement focuses on establishing standardized methods to evaluate the performance, safety and reliability of liquid hydrogen carriers and onboard systems, including storage tanks and associated piping.
Liquid hydrogen transport presents significant technical challenges due to its need for cryogenic storage at approximately –253°C, placing increased demands on materials, containment systems and operational safety.
The new framework is intended to provide a consistent basis for project design and regulatory approval, helping developers move hydrogen transport projects from concept to construction.
Under the partnership, the organizations will jointly assess cryogenic performance, structural integrity and operational safety of storage and transport systems, while also developing testing and certification procedures for marine environments.
Claudene Sharp Patel, global technical director at Lloyd’s Register, said the lack of standardized certification has slowed progress in hydrogen shipping.
“A clear and technically robust certification pathway for liquid hydrogen systems is expected to accelerate project development and reduce barriers to entry,” Patel said.
Dr. Jae-Myung Lee, director of the PNU Hydrogen Ship Technology Center, said the collaboration establishes a foundation for formal certification of liquid hydrogen systems.
“This agreement establishes a dedicated framework for evaluating and certifying liquid hydrogen performance,” Lee said.
The companies said the framework could inform future regulatory standards and support broader deployment of hydrogen transport infrastructure.