RIYADH: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman visited the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier ship at Jeddah Islamic Port, accompanied by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.
The ministers were briefed on the innovative technologies that Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries used in building the carrier Suiso Frontier, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia has focused on hydrogen production as part of its plans to become a global leader in clean energy production and export.
During the recent visit of the Japanese prime minister to the Kingdom, the two countries signed an agreement to work closer together to achieve their net-zero goals.
Suiso Frontier helped Kawasaki Heavy Industries complete the first hydrogen shipment transportation in the world, from Australia to Japan, in February 2022.
The Suiso Frontier vessel was launched in 2019, making it the world’s first liquid hydrogen carrier ship.
Earlier this month, King Abdulaziz Port received its first cargo ship powered by eco-friendly liquefied natural gas.
The Dammam-located facility hosted the French vessel CMA CGM SYMI, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions using BioLNG fuel, cutting 67 percent of its carbon dioxide discharge.
Additionally, the docking comes two years after Jeddah Islamic Port welcomed the world’s first and largest LNG-powered container ship, the CMA CGM Jaques Saade.
In March 2022, the Saudi Ports Authority, also known as Mawani, signed a deal with CMA CGM Group to build an integrated logistics platform at the Jeddah facility as part of a $130 million investment over 20 years.
As well as looking to become a logistics hub, Saudi Arabia is keen to lead the region in promoting sustainable practices, with the Kingdom aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060.
The most recent docking boosts the Kingdom’s aim to improve its port connectivity, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
One of the main objectives of this initiative is to increase the contribution of the transport and logistics sector to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product from the current 6 percent to 10 percent.
This is set to drive up the sector’s non-oil revenues to approximately SR45 billion ($12 billion) a year by 2030.
