Tokyo — ClassNK has issued a Technology Qualification (TQ) Certificate for a newly developed Ship-Shore Coupler designed for liquefied hydrogen (LH2) operations. The system was jointly engineered by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and TB Global Technologies, marking the first time ClassNK has certified marine equipment specifically for LH2 cargo handling.
As global efforts accelerate to establish a large-scale hydrogen supply chain, new technologies are required to ensure safe transport, loading, and unloading of cryogenic hydrogen at –253°C. ClassNK’s TQ process provides a structured pathway to verify the safety of innovative systems that fall outside existing maritime rules and standards.
The certified product is a flanged-type ship-shore connection unit, enabling a secure interface between the cargo-handling pipelines of an LH2 carrier and the marine loading arm at a receiving terminal.
ClassNK conducted a comprehensive evaluation based on its Guidelines for Technology Qualification and Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers (Edition 3.0). The assessment included advanced risk analysis and extensive cryogenic testing, including trials with actual liquefied hydrogen at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Noshiro Rocket Testing Center (JAXA).
After confirming full compliance with safety and performance criteria, ClassNK issued the TQ certificate, paving the way for broader adoption of LH2 transfer infrastructure.
ClassNK stated that it will continue supporting the social implementation of hydrogen technologies through rigorous technical verification and certification of emerging systems.
