According to media reports on March 12, China has achieved a major breakthrough in hydrogen energy storage and transportation. A large scale solid state hydrogen storage unit that has completed hydrogen charging was recently loaded onto a ship for export at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port. This marks the first time China has realized maritime export transportation of large solid state hydrogen storage equipment in a fully charged state.
The magnesium based solid state hydrogen storage system is destined for Malaysia under a formal commercial order from an overseas customer, and will be used in local hydrogen energy projects. According to preliminary enterprise estimates, the related projects will involve a hydrogen transportation volume of approximately 500 tons in 2026.
Hydrogen energy, with its clean and low carbon characteristics, is regarded as an important part of the future energy system. However, for a long time, large scale and long distance hydrogen transportation has faced considerable challenges due to factors such as cost, safety and efficiency in storage and transportation.
Traditional hydrogen storage and transportation mostly relies on cryogenic liquefaction or high pressure compression, which is not only costly but also requires extremely stringent safety technologies.
The magnesium based solid state hydrogen storage equipment exported this time adopts China’s independently developed magnesium based solid state hydrogen storage materials and hydrogen absorption/desorption control technology. It enables hydrogen storage and transportation under normal temperature and pressure, with a hydrogen storage capacity of 1 ton per tank and a cycle service life of more than 3,000 times, featuring high safety and storage/transportation efficiency.
Notably, the maritime transportation of large solid state hydrogen storage equipment in a charged state has no mature international precedents and lacks clear transportation standards, posing great challenges to preparation work.
To ensure the smooth shipment of the equipment, under the guidance of the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration and Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration organized experts to conduct technical assessments in response to enterprise needs, focusing on equipment characteristics, transportation conditions and safety requirements. Full chain demonstration and guidance were carried out on structural integrity, safety accessory configuration, emergency response measures and transportation conditions.
Meanwhile, targeted guidance was provided to enterprises according to the transportation characteristics of the new hydrogen storage equipment, helping optimize support plans for loading, unloading and transportation, and ensuring all preparations were completed in a standardized manner.
To guarantee efficient and smooth loading and shipment, maritime authorities also launched a “green channel” for government services, ensuring the equipment completed relevant procedures in compliance and with high efficiency.
At the loading site, professional staff from maritime authorities provided on site service throughout the process, closely cooperated with enterprises in loading operations, and offered real time technical support to ensure safe and stable loading and successful execution of the transportation mission.
This successful shipment marks a key step forward for China in the commercial application of solid state hydrogen storage technology and safe maritime transportation.
