<p>The International Maritime Organization has implemented various regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry. In 2018, The International Maritime Organization adopted a strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels. These regulations are driving the industry to improve energy efficiency, adopt cleaner fuels, and accelerate the implementation of innovative technologies. Notably, the growing demand for environmentally friendly ships using liquefied hydrogen as fuel has increased attention toward low-carbon technology development for manufacturing hydrogen tanks. The cryogenic storage of liquefied hydrogen at − 253 °C requires materials with high resistance to low-temperature brittleness and hydrogen embrittlement. Austenitic 316L stainless steel is an ideal material for this application due to its high nickel content, face-centered-cubic structure, and exceptional low-temperature performance and durability. It also maintains stability under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, making it suitable for manufacturing liquefied hydrogen tanks. The welding process involves localized heating and cooling, causing significant temperature changes and residual stresses, which can lead to distortion. This distortion negatively impacts the dimensional accuracy and reliability of welded structures, reducing productivity due to additional correction efforts. Therefore, finite element method analysis using heat transfer and thermo-elastoplastic simulations plays a crucial role in predicting and controlling welding distortion. In this study, flux cored arc welding was used for butt welding of 316L stainless steel, and the welding distortion and thermal behavior were analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of distortion predictions.</p>