Japanese shipbuilders explore ocean-going CO2 carrier

Nihon Shipyard and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding have collaborated to develop an ocean-going vessel that can transport liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) over longer distances.

PHOTO: Conceptual image of the ocean-going liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier. Mtisubishi Shipbuilding

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, while Nihon Shipyard is a joint venture for ship design between Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United Corporation.

Nihon Shipyard will build the vessel by 2027.

The demand for LCO2 carriers that can transport large volumes of CO2 safely and store it underground is expected to increase in the future, especially in the EU and Asia, said Mitsubishi Shipbuilding.

CO2 captured from vessels or industrial plants can also be converted into synthetic marine fuels such as e-methanol, instead of storing it underground. However, the duo has not yet indicated whether the LCO2 carriers they build will be used to deliver captured CO2 to synthetic fuel producers.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding is also developing a 50,000-cbm capacity LCO2 carrier in partnership with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, whose design has already been approved by DNV. It is also developing a LCO2 carrier with TotalEnergies.

By Konica Bhatt

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