Japan has unveiled plans to construct the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier, marking a decisive step from experimental projects toward a fully commercial hydrogen import system. The 40,000-cubic-metre vessel will be built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) for Japan Suiso Energy (JSE), a company created in 2021 to develop the country’s hydrogen supply chain. Construction will take place at KHI’s Sakaide Works, with the ship expected to begin demonstration voyages – including full loading and unloading operations – by 2030.
The project follows Japan’s 2021 deployment of the Suiso Frontier, the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier. That vessel, with a capacity of just 1,250 cubic metres, successfully transported hydrogen from Australia to Japan as a proof of concept. The new carrier will be more than 30 times larger, signalling Japan’s transition from pilot projects to commercial-scale imports.
The newbuild is expected to be about 250 metres long with a service speed of 18 knots. It will incorporate advanced cryogenic technologies designed specifically for hydrogen transport. These include a high-performance insulation system to limit boil-off gas (BOG), and double-wall, vacuum-jacketed piping to maintain extremely low temperatures during cargo transfer.
Unlike conventional gas carriers, the vessel’s hull form and draft have been optimised for the very low density of liquefied hydrogen. This design reduces power demand and improves propulsion efficiency. The ship will also be equipped with a system that captures boil-off hydrogen and uses it as fuel, enabling the vessel to partially power itself with cargo-derived energy.
The ship is only one element of a broader logistics network. A commercial-scale liquefied hydrogen terminal is under construction at Ogishima in Kawasaki City. The facility will include a 50,000-cubic-metre storage tank, marine cargo handling systems for both loading and discharge, hydrogen liquefaction equipment, gas transmission systems, and truck-loading infrastructure for onward distribution. Groundbreaking for the terminal took place in November 2025.
