June 12, 2026 – Recently, the Beijing Institute of Aerospace Testing Technology under the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation independently developed a 6000m³ marine liquid hydrogen spherical tank and successfully obtained the Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate from the China Classification Society (CCS). This is the first large-volume liquid hydrogen spherical tank of this specification in China to pass such authoritative certification, and the certificate awarding ceremony was completed on-site at the fourth Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo. The certification marks a breakthrough in the R&D and application of large-volume liquid hydrogen storage and transportation equipment at the institute, filling a gap in the certification field of marine large-volume liquid hydrogen spherical tanks in China and laying a solid core technology and qualification foundation for the industrialisation of liquid hydrogen maritime transportation in China.
It is reported that the successfully certified 6000m³ liquid hydrogen spherical tank is currently the liquid hydrogen spherical tank equipment with the largest volume that has passed principle certification in China. The equipment features excellent pressure-bearing performance, a small specific surface area, and a high operational safety coefficient, making it the preferred equipment for large-volume static storage and large-scale storage and transportation of liquid hydrogen at the current stage, and providing key hardware support for the large-scale and intensive development of the hydrogen storage and transportation industry in China.
As a clean energy medium with high energy storage density, liquid hydrogen is the core carrier for solving the problems of large-scale hydrogen deployment and long-distance transportation, and is also a key strategic support for promoting the full-scale development of the hydrogen energy industry. For a long time, the Beijing Institute of Aerospace Testing Technology has deeply cultivated the core track of hydrogen storage and transportation, and has successfully built a full-scenario product system covering fixed and mobile liquid hydrogen containers, accumulating deep technical R&D expertise and rich engineering implementation experience. During the development of this 6000m³ liquid hydrogen spherical tank, the R&D team relied on its years of liquid hydrogen technology accumulation, actively participated in the discussion and formulation of industry certification standards, intensively tackled multiple key technical challenges, and completed comprehensive verification of multi-scenario adaptability, ensuring that the product combines industry-leading technology with practical applicability.
The successful acquisition of this certification not only fully demonstrates the top-tier scientific research innovation and equipment development capabilities of the Beijing Institute of Aerospace Testing Technology, but also holds significant national energy strategic value. The breakthrough in the authoritative qualification of the marine liquid hydrogen spherical tank has successfully removed the key equipment barrier for long-distance liquid hydrogen shipping, cleared the core qualification obstacles for liquid hydrogen ship transportation and large-scale offshore storage and transportation, and will accelerate the standardisation and commercialisation of the hydrogen energy shipping industry. At the same time, this achievement can effectively reduce China’s import dependence on traditional fossil fuels and strengthen the security barrier of the national energy supply chain. In the future, long-distance liquid hydrogen shipping will also become a core channel for the global circulation and market-oriented deployment of hydrogen energy.
Going forward, the Beijing Institute of Aerospace Testing Technology will take this certification achievement as a new starting point for development, continue to focus on core technology breakthroughs in the field of liquid hydrogen storage and transportation, continuously iterate and optimize product performance, refine the product layout across the entire industry chain, persist in deepening R&D innovation and industrialisation application of hydrogen energy storage and transportation equipment, and consistently leverage aerospace hardcore technologies to empower the high-quality and sustainable development of China's hydrogen energy industry.
