Change follows delays in construction approvals
Will also now use smaller ships than originally planned
Project backed by Japan, Australia governments

TOKYO, Dec 11 Reuters Kawasaki Heavy Industries has revised its JapanAustralia hydrogen supply chain demonstration project, suspending plans to use hydrogen derived from Australian brown coal and shrinking the size of the ships to be used.

The move was prompted by difficulties in procuring hydrogen from Australia by the fiscal year 2030 deadline due to delays in construction approvals, a company spokesperson said.

The company, which leads the project, has decided to use hydrogen produced in Japan instead, but has not yet decided the details, the spokesperson said.

It has also not ruled out procuring coalderived hydrogen from Australia in the future, the spokesperson added. Other potential sources include the Middle East.

Kawasaki also now plans to use smaller liquefied hydrogen carriers with a capacity of 40,000 cubic metres, down from original plans for vessels that can carry 160,000 cubic metres, the spokesperson said.

The company believes the smaller vessels will be better suited to market needs in the early stages of hydrogen supply chains.

The world39;s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, with a capacity of 1,250 cubic metre, made its first voyage carrying hydrogen produced from brown coal in Australia to Japan in 2022.

BACKED BY GOVERNMENTS

The coaltohydrogen project is backed by the governments of Japan and…