From: Shenzhen Daily | Updated:2024-10-22
On Oct. 22, a milestone in global hydrogen energy was achieved as China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) completed the world’s longest liquid hydrogen sea transport demonstration.
The vessel, covering over 10,000 nautical miles, arrived safely at Shenzhen’s Yantian Port. The liquid hydrogen cargo was then transported directly from the dock to Zhongshan for end-use testing, marking China’s entry into the field of long-distance, transoceanic hydrogen transport.
This demonstration project, a collaboration between CNOOC and French company Air Liquide, involved transporting liquid hydrogen stored in cryogenic tank containers aboard a European ocean cargo ship. Departing Rotterdam on Sept. 4, the ship navigated through the Atlantic, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, crossed the Malacca Strait, and arrived at Yantian Port in Shenzhen, completing the first transoceanic shipment of liquid hydrogen in quantities exceeding one ton.
Safe and efficient hydrogen transport is critical for the growth of the hydrogen energy industry. Among current options gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, and organic hydrogen storage—liquid hydrogen is especially suitable for large-scale, long-distance transport due to its high energy density and efficiency.
This project achieved the world’s first successful dockside transfer of liquid hydrogen, making CNOOC a pioneer in the complete international transport chain for liquid hydrogen. The success of this demonstration paves a new path for the development of hydrogen energy, setting a foundation for large-scale, long-distance transport of hydrogen and advancing China’s role in the global hydrogen economy.