Kawasaki Heavy Industries and TB Global Technologies have completed joint development of the world's first commercial-specification six-inch loading arm for transferring liquefied hydrogen between ships and shore.

The equipment was designed and tested in accordance with ISO 24132, the international standard for liquefied hydrogen loading arms, and has obtained ISO certification for its commercial specification. Loading arms provide the connection through which cargo moves between vessels and terminal facilities.

Development of the commercial version began in August 2023, covering design work, prototype manufacturing, and inspections. Tests using liquefied hydrogen took place at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Noshiro Rocket Testing Center from August 2025 through July 2026, confirming the technical foundation needed for commercialisation, according to the release.

The new equipment builds on a pilot version first developed in 2018. That earlier system successfully transferred liquefied hydrogen at the Hy touch Kobe demonstration terminal in 2022, in an operation the companies described as a world first.

The commercial design has a revised arm structure with a longer reach to accommodate larger vessels. Stronger seals at the joints and a newly adopted seal-gas system improve equipment reliability, while the design reduces consumption of helium used to maintain pressure inside the joints.

Other changes include a simplified clamp mechanism for the emergency release device, improving reliability and maintainability. The ship-to-shore coupling now uses a flange connection that requires no insertion, reducing operating workload and making the assembly lighter and more compact. The coupling also meets ClassNK's technical certification requirements.

TB Global Technologies is part of Tokyo Boeki Holdings. The two development partners plan to use the commercial loading arm in a liquefied hydrogen supply-chain demonstration under the Green Innovation Fund administered by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO), the companies said.

Under that plan, three loading arms are to be installed at Kawasaki LH2 Terminal, which Japan Suiso Energy is developing in the Ogishima area of Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. The units are intended to handle liquefied hydrogen transfers involving a carrier with a capacity of 40 000 m3.