Multiple European technology providers have started to design and develop LH2 containment solutions, e.g. based on the IMO Type B, Type C and membrane tank designs currently available for LNG shipping, as well as for other novel concepts. Due to the considerably lower temperature of LH2 than LNG, as well as the lower heat of vaporisation and different material compatibility characteristics, totally novel insulation concepts need to be developed if LH2 should be contained with equally or lower boil-off rate as current LNG concepts.

The scope for the proposed project should include:

• Concept selection for large scale LH2 containment to be used in shipping;
• Approval in Principle (AIP) for the LH2 containment concept by one of the major IACS classification societies;
• Materials and component selection and integrity testing for LH2 exposure, e.g. strength, ductility, toughness, thermal expansion, sloshing and compatibility;
• Sub-system testing for thermo-mechanical validation;
• Detailed design, construction, and testing of a scaled-down prototype of at least 10 t LH2 capacity;
• General Approval for the LH2 containment system by one of the major IACS classification societies;
• Development of a preliminary integrated ship design with a corresponding cost estimation.