Provaris Energy’s hydrogen carrier design secures ABS backing

Classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has approved the design of a 26,000 cbm-capacity compressed hydrogen carrier developed by Australian hydrogen shipping firm Provaris Energy.

PHOTO: A model of Provaris' hydrogen carrier H2 Neo. Provaris

Provaris will now build and test a prototype hydrogen tank and prepare for building the ship. It aims to start issuing shipbuilding contracts for the vessel next year and commence large-scale hydrogen shipping in 2026. The company has collaborated with shipbroker Clarkson to select a shipyard.

The ABS’s approval will also allow Provaris to develop a larger 120,000 cbm hydrogen carrier.

The development of two carriers will “effectively establish the maritime transportation of hydrogen at a time when storage and transport remain key to unlocking markets with ambitions for hydrogen imports at scale from 2026,” Provaris’ chief technical executive officer Per Roed says.

ABS believes that compressed hydrogen has potential to support a sustainable and lower-carbon future for shipping.

Hydrogen has been gaining attention as an alternative fuel choice to reduce emissions for smaller ships, and for other sectors. However, only a few large-scale hydrogen carrier designs have so far got approvals from classification societies.

Notably, hydrogen carriers may not necessarily be powered by hydrogen themselves, but they will be crucial to moving hydrogen cargo around the world in large quantities as the hydrogen trade grows in the coming years and decades.

Earlier this year, the classification society ClassNK approved the design of a liquified hydrogen carrier developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

By Shilpa Sharma

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