A vessel carrying specialized insulated tanks containing liquid hydrogen arrived at Yantian Port in the south China metropolitan of Shenzhen on Tuesday, after a voyage of about 20,000 km from Europe.

The pioneering long-distance transport of the liquid hydrogen was jointly carried out by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and French industrial gases giant Air Liquide, which marked a significant milestone in global energy transportation.

The shipment covered over 20,000 km from Rotterdam to Shenzhen, emphasizing the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.

The International Renewable Energy Agency predicted that by 2050, more than 30 percent of global hydrogen production will be used for international trade. China's annual hydrogen production has amounted to 40 million tonnes, and long-distance offshore shipping of liquid hydrogen has been eyed as a new transport initiative to explore hydrogen energy trade.