Global Energy Ventures receives ABS approval for compressed hydrogen carrier

ABS approval of innovative C-H2 ship design has materially de-risked the project commercially and technically
‘This unique compressed hydrogen containment system provides a low-cost solution for the marine transportation and export of large volumes of hydrogen’
GEV is in talks to evaluate renewable energy projects for hydrogen exports, and its C-H2 ship’s supply chain

Hydrogen shipping company Global Energy Ventures (ASX:GEV) has received in-principle approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its innovative C-H2 ship design.

The approval is for the company’s containment system for transporting compressed hydrogen in its C-H2 vessel which has a cargo capacity of 2,000 tonnes.

“This has been the result of significant effort by the company’s management team led by Martin Carolan, and GEV’s technical and engineering team in Canada,” executive chairman and chief executive, Maurice Brand, said.

“The team has delivered this critical milestone several months ahead of schedule and under budget. The board is delighted with the outcome,” he said.

Hydrogen has significantly different chemical properties to natural gas and therefore a new design approach was required to ensure it safe transportation under pressurised conditions.

ABS review confirmed capability of C-H2 ship

An engineering review undertaken by ABS confirmed the C-H2 ship can meet the required high standards of safety from a shipping classification society like the ABS.

“ABS concluded there were no unresolvable or un-mitigable risks identified during the HAZID [review] that would prevent further successful development of the compressed hydrogen ship design,” said the company.

The hydrogen containment system is the most critical part of the C-H2 carrier as it will transport compressed hydrogen cargoes under intense pressure.

“This unique compressed hydrogen containment system provides a low-cost solution for the marine transportation and export of large volumes of hydrogen,” said Martin Carolan, executive director and head of hydrogen at GEV.

In its review, the ABS addressed how the C-H2 vessel would perform in a range of safety-based scenarios and the outcome was a clean bill of health for the hydrogen ship.

“GEV advises shareholders that ABS undertook extensive hazard identification analysis prior to issuing the approval in principle,” said Carolan.

“It is important to note that as a result of the ABS work there were no unresolvable or un-mitigable risks identified that would prevent further successful development of the C-H2 ship,” he said.

GEV hydrogen ship — Illustration of the C-H2 ship fuelled by hydrogen fuel cells. Image: company supplied

Hydrogen carrier can move to engineering stage

Global Energy Ventures can now put the compressed hydrogen carrier through final detailed engineering design and testing to obtain full class approval for the ship’s construction.

The engineering and design of the compressed hydrogen carrier has benefited from the company’s expertise in developing ships to carry compressed natural gas.

The company is continuing to have talks and technical discussions for the ship’s development and that of its supply chain for compressed hydrogen gas.

“GEV is now in discussions with parties to evaluate the C-H2 supply chain for future hydrogen export projects, while also identifying suitable sites for the development of its own pilot scale renewable green hydrogen project for a fully-integrated green C-H2 supply chain,” Carolan added.

The C-H2 carrier is capable of carrying compressed hydrogen at 250 bar of pressure and at ambient temperature.