MOL and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding’s LCO2/methanol carrier design gets ClassNK nod

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and compatriot firm Mitsubishi Shipbuilding have received design approval from Japan’s ClassNK for their jointly developed liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2)/methanol carrier.

IMAGE: Concept of LCO2/methanol carrier operation. MOL

The vessel's design is based on a low-pressure LCO2 carrier. It will transport CO2 on outward journeys and bring back synthetic methanol on return trips. Normally, using ships for only CO2 or only methanol means they travel empty half the time.

By combining both cargoes in one vessel, empty trips can be avoided. MOL and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding plan to continue developing this dual-purpose LCO2/methanol carrier, building on insights gained from earlier studies. Their goal is to make the vessel commercially viable by working with partners across the supply chain.

This approval “marks a world's first” for “this type of carrier,” MOL claims.

Separately, MOL is building supply chains for synthetic fuel, methanol and CO2 through initiatives such as its investment in US-based renewable fuel producer HIF Global.

By Tuhin Roy

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