- The Australian hydrogen industry has marked a milestone with the world’s first shipment of liquefied hydrogen from Australia to Japan
- The first purpose-built liquefied hydrogen carrier, the Suiso Frontier, has arrived in Victoria to pick up the hydrogen
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the HESC project would make Australia a global leader, aiming to produce 225,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen each year in the Latrobe Valley
- Along with this milestone, the Morrison Government is announcing $7.5 million to support the next $184 million pre-commercialisation phase of HESC
- This brings the Australian Government’s total commitment to the project to $57.5 million
The hydrogen industry has marked a milestone with the world’s first shipment of liquefied hydrogen from Australia to Japan.
Australian-made hydrogen will be shipped from Victoria to Japan after the Suiso Frontier carrier arrived in the country as part of the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) pilot project.
The ship took a longer than the anticipated 16 days as the owners sought to avoid bad weather and rough seas.
Hydrogen is key to Japan’s goal to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and Australia aims to become a major exporter of the fuel.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the HESC project would make Australia a global leader, aiming to produce 225,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen each year in the Latrobe Valley.
“A successful Australian hydrogen industry means lower emissions, greater energy production and more local jobs,” Mr Morrison said.
“The HESC project is key to both Australia and Japan and our hydrogen industries. In addition to our Government’s support for HESC, we have recently established the Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program and committed up to $150 million to the first round that will focus on clean hydrogen supply chains with Japan.”
Along with this milestone, the Morrison Government is announcing $7.5 million to support the next $184 million pre-commercialisation phase of HESC. The Government is also contributing $20 million for the next stage of the CarbonNet project.
This brings the Australian Government’s total commitment to the project to $57.5 million.
It is expected that the 225,000 tonnes of carbon neutral liquefied hydrogen produced by HESC in a commercial phase will help reduce global emissions by around 1.8 million tonnes per year, or the equivalent of emissions from 350,000 petrol cars.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the arrival of the Suiso Frontier was an important milestone.
“The HESC project and the arrival of the liquefied hydrogen carrier today cements Australia’s position as a world leader in hydrogen,” Mr Taylor said.
“Today’s achievement is a testament to Australian governments working with industry and our international partners to achieve a shared vision.”