Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Suiso Energy sign contract for a 40,000 m³ vessel, marking a major step toward a global hydrogen supply chain
Japan has taken a significant step forward in the development of global hydrogen infrastructure by announcing the construction of the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier, with a capacity of 40,000 cubic metres. The project is being developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Suiso Energy, with support from Japan’s national green innovation programmes.
The vessel will be built at the Sakaide shipyard in western Japan and represents a key element of the country’s strategy to establish a commercial-scale liquefied hydrogen supply chain. The project aims to enable safe, efficient and economically viable long-distance hydrogen transport by the end of this decade.
From pilot projects to commercial hydrogen deployment
Unlike earlier demonstration vessels, the new carrier is designed for large-scale industrial operation. It will be equipped with advanced insulation systems to minimise hydrogen losses during transport, as well as a hybrid propulsion concept that allows the use of hydrogen as fuel, contributing to lower CO₂ emissions in maritime transport.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries previously built the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, Suiso Frontier, which was used in pilot shipments between Australia and Japan. The new vessel represents the next phase — moving beyond demonstration projects toward full commercial application of hydrogen technologies.
Source: Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Global projects and relevance for the energy transition
The development of large-scale hydrogen transport infrastructure highlights hydrogen’s growing role in the decarbonisation of industry, energy systems and transport, particularly in sectors where electrification alone is not sufficient. At the same time, such projects underline the importance of international cooperation, technological innovation and major infrastructure investments.
Hydrogen projects in Southeast Europe
The development of hydrogen projects in Serbia and Southeast Europe, as well as the role of industry, research institutions and the energy sector in advancing hydrogen technologies, will be among the key topics discussed at the H2 Conference 2026, taking place on 17–18 March 2026 in Belgrade. 17–18 march 2026. in Belgrade .
More information about the conference is available at:
