The Suiso Frontier returned to Australia as part of the 60th annual joint Australia-Japan business conference held in Melbourne. This gave conference attendees the rare opportunity to tour the world’s first liquid hydrogen carrier.
Over duration of the conference, several government representatives from Australia, Japan and local councils visited the Suiso Frontier at the Port of Hastings.
The tour attendees included, Australia’s Minister for Resources, Madeline King, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Yasutoshi Nishimura, Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas, Paul Mercurio and the Mayors of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Latrobe City Council and the Japanese City of Kawasaki.
The innovative hydrogen carrier was a critical part of the successful Pilot Project. Jointly funded by the Commonwealth, State of Victoria, Japanese Government and project proponents, the $500m Pilot Project was successfully completed in February 2022 when the Suiso Frontier arrived in Kobe, Japan with a load of liquefied hydrogen produced in the Latrobe Valley.
Yuko Fukuma, Acting General Manager, Hydrogen Engineering Australia*, said, “The HESC project is an outstanding example of the deep and long-standing relationship between Australia and Japan. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Australian and Victorian governments as we deliver a commercial scale international clean hydrogen supply chain that will support decarbonisation efforts of both nations.”
*Hydrogen Engineering Australia is an affiliate of Kawasaki Heavy Industries