Splash247: LR and Pusan National University target global standards for liquid hydrogen shipping

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Pusan National University (PNU) have teamed up to develop what is billed as the first internationally recognised certification framework for liquid hydrogen shipping, in a move aimed at accelerating the fuel’s adoption at sea.

The partnership, formalised in Seoul, will establish a joint performance evaluation and certification regime covering liquid hydrogen carriers and onboard systems. The initiative seeks to address a key bottleneck in maritime decarbonisation: the lack of agreed standards for testing and verification of hydrogen technologies.

Liquid hydrogen presents significant technical challenges, requiring storage at around -253°C and placing extreme demands on materials, containment and safety systems. The new framework is designed to provide consistent, globally applicable criteria for assessing performance, reliability and safety, helping projects move from concept to approval and construction.

“As pressure mounts on shipping to decarbonise, the introduction of a clear and technically robust certification pathway for liquid hydrogen systems is expected to accelerate project development and reduce barriers to entry,” said Claudene Sharp-Patel, global technical director at LR.

The collaboration will combine LR’s classification expertise with PNU’s cryogenic research capabilities, focusing on tank performance, structural integrity and risk assessment, while also defining testing methodologies tailored to marine environments.