GCMD teams up with Lloyd's Register to study offloading LCO2 from vessels

The study will evaluate safety and operational issues surrounding the unloading of liquified carbon dioxide (LCO2) captured on board tankers, bulkers and container ships, the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has stated.

PHOTO: Cargo terminal at Port of Singapore. Getty Images

GCMD is a cross-sector non-profit organisation that focusses on decarbonisation of shipping. The alliance was formed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and includes DNV, Hapag Lloyd, BP and Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping among others.

According to GCMD, the concept study intends to determine the ideal temperature and pressure required while offloading LCO2 from ships. The study will also examine different containers suitable for the process.

GCMD says the study could help with offloading LCO2 from vessels, under less-established operating and storage conditions. The nine-month study is expected to begin this month.

“For the industry to operationalise shipboard carbon capture technologies, addressing the offloading of captured CO2 is key to the entire value chain. LCO2 is likely one of the common forms in which CO2 will be stored and offloaded after its capture onboard ships, and its offloading is likely to take place alongside concurrent cargo and/or bunkering operations,” GCMD has explained.

The GCMD will issue guidelines for shipping companies and operators to offload LCO2 from larger vessels based on the results of this study. This will also form a part of the third phase of GCMD's "Project REMARCCABLE", which focuses on sea trials.

Project REMARCCABLE was initiated by GCMD as a pilot study to analyse how CO2 can be captured, stored, and offloaded onboard vessels.

The first phase of the project focuses on designing a carbon capture system for vessels. This phase is likely to be completed by the end of this year. In the second phase, the system will be constructed, while in the third phase, it will be installed on an MR tanker and tested at sea.

GCMD will also apply the offloading concept study guidelines to offload 375 mt of LCO2 after 10 days at sea as part of the third phase of the pilot project.

By Konica Bhatt

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online