"Suspension of the global hydrogen plan reveals challenges in the energy transition."

The suspension of the first global plan for the transportation of liquid hydrogen has highlighted the complexities and challenges that the hydrogen industry faces in its quest to become a key energy source in the transition to a more sustainable future. This ambitious project, known as the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC), aimed to export 30,000 tons of liquefied hydrogen per year from Australia to Japan. However, the recent decision by Kawasaki Heavy Industries to withdraw from the consortium has jeopardized the viability of this scheme. The HESC, which had received support from both the Australian and Japanese governments, had progressed to the pilot phase, culminating in a successful shipment of liquefied hydrogen. This initial progress generated optimism regarding the possibility of creating a global hydrogen market, but experts began to question the effectiveness of the proposed model. The production of hydrogen from Australian lignite, a highly polluting fuel, along with the need to implement carbon capture and storage technologies, raised doubts about the project's actual sustainability. The news of the suspension, reported by the Japanese newspaper Nikkei and echoed by Australian media, resonates in a context where specialists warn about the economic and logistical barriers that long-distance hydrogen transportation faces. David Cebon, co-founder of the Hydrogen Science Coalition and professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, emphasizes that maritime hydrogen transport is "uneconomic, energy-inefficient, and very impractical." This raises serious concerns about the viability of a global market for this energy resource. Paul Martin's opinion, also a co-founder of the Hydrogen Science Coalition, complements this perspective by pointing out that the proposed process is not only contradictory to scientific principles but also raises serious concerns regarding costs. "Even if the cost and complexity of carbon capture and storage could be managed, enormous amounts of electricity would be needed just to liquefy the hydrogen," Martin clarifies. This statement underscores the need to reevaluate current approaches to hydrogen production and transportation. The fact that several countries are beginning to backtrack on their initial hydrogen-related objectives reflects the pressure of scientific and economic realities that have become unavoidable. While hydrogen is considered a crucial component in the energy transition, its production must focus on renewable sources, and its use should be directed towards local applications, such as fertilizer and steel production, rather than relying on an international transport network that compromises its efficiency. This paradigm shift could also lead to a reevaluation of investment strategies in clean energy technologies. As production and transportation costs become more pressing, the need to develop more sustainable and economical solutions becomes paramount. Nations must begin to consider alternatives that are not only energy-efficient but also viable and capable of providing long-term solutions. Undoubtedly, the suspension of the HESC represents a turning point in the development of hydrogen trade on a global scale. Import and export plans have proven insufficient in the face of a reality in which trade agreements have not yet materialized. While some countries continue to explore the possibility of becoming hydrogen exporters, others are reconsidering their approaches to focus their efforts on developing more efficient local production. Kawasaki Heavy Industries' decision could have significant reverberations on the global energy agenda. As expectations about the role of hydrogen in the energy future are adjusted, it is likely that new alliances will be sought and investments in alternative technologies that promise a more effective transition to clean energy sources will be reconsidered. In this context, the future of hydrogen depends not only on its production but also on how it is integrated into local and regional energy supply chains. The suspension of the HESC serves as a reminder that, while ambition is essential, it must be accompanied by a rigorous analysis of the economic and technical viability of proposed projects. Undoubtedly, the path to a sustainable future requires a profound and collaborative rethinking of the ways in which we generate and use energy.