HySTRA sheds light on Suiso Frontier incident as ATSB investigation continues

THE AUSTRALIAN Transport Safety Bureau is progressing with its investigation into a malfunction onboard liquefied hydrogen carrier Suiso Frontier, though the vessel is continuing with its second trial voyage.

Hydrogen tanker Suiso Frontier is the first of its kind, transporting liquefied hydrogen at negative 253 degrees Celsius between Australia and Japan as part of the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain pilot project.

The vessel is currently undertaking the second round of its demonstration that liquified hydrogen can be maintained under extremely low atmospheric temperatures.

In January, after loading its cargo at Port of Hastings in Victoria, hydrogen technology company HySTRA, which owns the vessel, reported a gas pressure control equipment malfunction onboard.

Expanding on the nature of the incident, HySTRA said in an update this week that the issue occurred when one of two solenoid valve systems in the gas combustion unit had suddenly stopped.

“A ship crew observed lighting and smoke in the gas combustion unit on the vessel for a few seconds, that was presumed to be a small flame,” HySTRA said.

“The crew immediately and safely performed a manual shutdown of the unit. There were no injuries and no damage to equipment and the environment.”

HySTRA reported the incident to the Australian Maritime safety Authority, and the ATSB and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) inspected the vessel on 27 January.

The next day, having confirmed that navigation would not be impacted, the gas combustion unit was switched from the failed solenoid valve system to the working system.

Once cleared by AMSA, the vessel sailed for Japan. HySTRA replaced the necessary parts once the vessel reached Kobe.

The pilot voyage continued after the gas combustion unit was confirmed to be operating normally without incident recurrence.

HySTRA said it reported the measures to AMSA on 18 March. The ATSB is still progressing with its investigation into the malfunction.

HySTRA said it reported the continuation of safe navigation to the ATSB when the vessel safely arrived at Port of Hastings on 3 May.

The ATSB is currently in the evidence collection phase of the investigation. It has categorised the malfunction as a “serious incident”.

Suiso Frontier is currently en route from Gladstone to Kobe.