On August 16th, 2023, the Sultanate of Oman celebrated the historic arrival of the “Suiso Frontier,” the first liquefied hydrogen carrier ship, at Sultan Qaboos Port. This momentous event marked a key highlight in the Japanese tanker’s regional tour across the Middle East. Accompanied by officials from the hydrogen, transport, and logistics sectors, H.E. Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, meticulously inspected the carrier ship’s facilities. The tour encompassed a visit to the hydrogen transfer control room, featuring state-of-the-art augmented reality technology. This innovative addition showcased scenarios related to the commercial-scale transportation of liquefied hydrogen, emphasizing the economic feasibility of such transport projects. Al Aufi emphasized that the visit aimed to acquaint officials with the capabilities and challenges associated with hydrogen transportation. Additionally, the visit sought to explore the company’s future plans, particularly in constructing large hydrogen carriers to meet the growing international demand in the upcoming stages. The Minister highlighted Oman’s substantial progress in the hydrogen field, expressing the country’s ambition to be among the first nations exporting green hydrogen globally. Furthermore, he underscored the local utilization of green hydrogen in various industries as a substitute for traditional gas.
H.E. Jota Yamamoto, the Ambassador of Japan to Oman, noted that the carrier’s visit strengthens bilateral relations, particularly in the energy and hydrogen sectors. He underscored the pivotal role of hydrogen carriers in connecting suppliers with the market.
It’s noteworthy that the “Suiso Frontier” was manufactured by the Japanese company Kawasaki Heavy Industries and is currently operated by Shell Japan. This vessel can transport 1,250 m3 of Liquid Hydrogen, equivalent to 75t. In addition to the decision-maker delegation, an afternoon session was held where technical experts were selected to visit the ship, and OHC was coordinating the visit with Japanese embassy here in Oman and we are glad to be part of real case towards Hydrogen Revolution. We are learning a lot from this experience, and we are glad to be part of the technical delagation.
The vessel serves as a significant testing platform, notably advancing research and development in the hydrogen sector. The Suiso Frontier transports substantial quantities of hydrogen, boasting a cargo capacity of 1,250 cubic meters. The estimated construction cost for this vessel is approximately USD 359 million.
Japan plays a crucial role as a key ally to the Sultanate of Oman, particularly in the energy sector. This strategic partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in January 2023. The collaborative efforts between Oman and Japan extend across various domains, encompassing hydrogen, ammonia fuel, carbon recycling, and innovative methodologies employed in methane production.
