ClassNK has issued a Technology Qualification (TQ) certificate for a Ship to Shore Coupler for liquefied hydrogen transport jointly developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and TB Global Technologies, Ltd., according to ClassNK.
TQ is a qualification of the safety of a new technology that demonstrates its equivalence to technology compliant with existing rules and regulations, and this is noted as the first TQ case at ClassNK for liquefied hydrogen marine equipment.
ClassNK has issued its Guidelines for Technology Qualification for concepts and designs not addressed by existing standards.
The product developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and TB Global Technologies is described as a flanged-style coupler connecting cargo-handling piping on a liquefied hydrogen carrier to a marine loading arm installed on the jetty at a liquefied hydrogen site. ClassNK reviewed the product based on its Guidelines for Technology Qualification, Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers, and other relevant standards.
To ensure safe loading and unloading of liquefied hydrogen at –253°C, ClassNK evaluated safety aspects including risk assessments reflecting the novelty of the components, and conducted qualification tests, including tests using liquefied hydrogen at the Noshiro Rocket Testing Center of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). After confirming that the defined requirements were met, ClassNK issued the certificate.
ClassNK will continue to contribute to the social implementation and dissemination of related technologies through technical verification of advanced initiatives.
ClassNK Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) is a ship classification society headquartered in Tokyo. It establishes and maintains technical standards for the construction and operation of vessels and offshore structures, and provides surveys, certifications, and research related to maritime safety and environmental protection.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a Japanese engineering and manufacturing company engaged in the production of transportation equipment, industrial machinery, energy systems, aerospace components, and related technologies. It operates across multiple industrial sectors, including shipbuilding, rolling stock, and hydrogen-related equipment.
TB Global Technologies is a Japanese engineering company specializing in fluid-transfer systems. Its activities include the design and manufacture of loading arms and transfer equipment for energy and industrial sectors, with applications across marine and onshore facilities.
