Oman welcomed the world’s first-ever liquid hydrogen carrier, the Japanese vessel “Suiso Frontier”, as part of its tour across several Middle Eastern countries.
Salim Al Aufi, Omani Minister of Energy and Minerals, noted that the tour aimed to acknowledge the feasibility of transporting hydrogen as well as the challenges faced during the ship’s construction and transport operations.
Al Aufi emphasized that Oman made significant and rapid strides in the hydrogen sector, seeking to be among the pioneering nations exporting green hydrogen globally.
The nation envisions hydrogen as an alternative to the currently used gas in domestic industries, according to the Omani News Agency.
Meanwhile, Gota Yama Moto, the accredited Japanese Ambassador to Oman, hailed Oman’s strategic vision in tapping into this promising sector and emphasized the significance of hydrogen carriers in connecting distributors to the market.
Built in Japan by Kawasaki and operated by Shell Japan, the “Suiso Frontier” is the world’s inaugural liquid hydrogen tanker. It transports liquid hydrogen following specific technical standards at temperatures reaching -235°C.
In February 2022, the vessel successfully transported its first shipment of liquid hydrogen from Australia to Japan. Its maximum capacity stands at 1,250 cubic meters, with its construction estimated to cost around $359 million.
