Saudi’s energy minister visits world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier ship at Jeddah Port

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman visited the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier ship at Jeddah Islamic Port, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

He was accompanied by the kingdom’s Minister of Investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih.

The ministers were briefed on the innovative technologies deployed to build the liquified hydrogen carrier Suiso Frontier.

جانب من زيارة صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير عبدالعزيز بن سلمان وزير الطاقة ومعالي وزير الاستثمار م. خالد بن عبدالعزيز الفالح @Khalid_AlFalih إلى #ميناء_جدة_الإسلامي، للوقوف على أداء السفينة اليابانية “Suiso Frontier” تعزيزًا لريادة المملكة عالميًا في قطاع الطاقة. pic.twitter.com/ZFiBMzzw87

— مـوانـئ | MAWANI (@MawaniKSA) July 19, 2023

Hydrogen is the next energy frontier

The carrier has been constructed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan. Suiso Frontier and Kawasaki Heavy Industries carried out the first hydrogen shipment transportation in the world in 2022. The carrier had traveled from Australia to Japan on its maiden voyage.

The Saudi delegation’s visit aboard the Japanese carrier comes in the backdrop of Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the country earlier this month.

HRH Minister of Energy @MoEnergy_Saudi & HE @Khalid_AlFalih tour Kawasaki’s #SuisoFrontier – the pioneering liquefied-hydrogen carrier- in @jeddahport. Witnessing the cutting-edge tech & advanced infrastructure propelling global energy innovation. pic.twitter.com/aFb5xbJa83

— وزارة الاستثمار (@MISA) July 19, 2023

Saudi Arabia is focusing on hydrogen production as it seeks to transition its economy and energy mix. The kingdom is exploring clean hydrogen production and its export.  During the prime minister’s visit, the two countries signed an agreement to work closer together in research and energy sectors as they seek to achieve their respective net zero goals.

Lighthouse Initiative to further Saudi Arabia-Japan cooperation

The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). The signing ceremony, which was held in Jeddah, came on the sidelines of the Japanese prime minister’s visit. The agreement aims to accelerate innovation and stimulate the energy transition for a more sustainable energy future.

The new agreement is part of the lighthouse initiative for clean energy cooperation, launched during the Saudi Arabia-Japan bilateral meeting. The Lighthouse initiative aims at showcasing Saudi Arabia and Japan’s leadership in clean energy projects and sustainable advanced materials, as well ensuring the resiliency of the supply chain to ensure sustainable and secure supplies. The initiative will support the ongoing efforts that Saudi Arabia is undertaking to become a hub for clean energy, mineral resources and energy components supply chains.

The Saudi-Japanese cooperation will look to further areas of mutual interest by combining knowledge, and research capabilities, including innovative solutions to address energy challenges such as hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic fuels (methane), carbon capture, use and storage technologies, carbon recycling and direct air capture, nuclear energy, and a variety of other specialized solutions to address today’s energy challenges, reported SPA.

“The collaboration between KAPSARC and IEEJ has gone beyond energy, climate, and sustainability policies to include various other supporting factors such as technology and finance, with the aim of ensuring a fair and inclusive energy transition,” said KAPSARC President Fahad Al-Ajlan.

“This transition is a pivotal pillar not only for both countries but for the entire world, where more than 3 billion people lack access to energy,” he said.

IEEJ Chairman and CEO Tatsuya Terazawa said the MoU with KAPSARC will help strengthen cooperation at the highest level.