DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Shell International Trading and Shipping Company and Brevik Engineering for their groundbreaking design of a 74,000 cubic meters (cbm) liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier. This vessel is tailored for the Asia Pacific market, aiming to facilitate cost-effective CO2 transport.
Key Takeaways
- DNV’s AiP covers extensive technical assessments for LCO2 carriers.
- The vessel design includes 15 cylindrical tanks for CO2 storage at low pressure.
- It is designed to support future onboard CO2 capture from engine exhaust.
- The project highlights the importance of collaboration in advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions.
Overview of the LCO2 Carrier Design
The newly designed LCO2 carrier is a significant advancement in maritime technology, specifically aimed at addressing the growing need for carbon capture and storage solutions in the Asia Pacific region. With dimensions capped at 290 meters in length and a draft of 12 meters, the vessel is optimized for access to key East Asian ports, mirroring the size of a conventional LNG carrier.
The design features:
- Capacity: 74,000 cbm of liquid CO2.
- Tank Design: 15 cylindrical tanks capable of storing CO2 at approximately -50°C and 6–8 barg, adhering to low-pressure industry standards.
- Future-Proofing: The vessel is engineered to allow for onboard capture of CO2 from the main engine exhaust, enhancing its sustainability.
Importance of Carbon Capture and Storage
As countries like Japan, Korea, and Singapore explore methods to reduce their carbon emissions, the need for efficient CO2 transport solutions becomes critical. The LCO2 carrier is designed to meet this demand by enabling the shipping of substantial quantities of CO2 to designated storage locations within the region.
The development of larger capacity vessels is essential, as current European CCS projects do not meet the scale required for the Asia Pacific market. Low-pressure cargo tank designs are pivotal in making these large LCO2 ships commercially viable, ultimately reducing transportation costs.
Collaborative Innovation
Mathias Sørhaug, Business Development Director for CO2 shipping at DNV Maritime, emphasized the significance of joint innovation in this project. He stated, “This AiP underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing solutions that support the development of the wider CCS value chain. Scale is essential to drive down the cost of CCS, and this work demonstrates the feasibility of large CO2 carriers with a low carbon footprint.”
Evert Grødal, Managing Director of Brevik Engineering, added that the innovative design is expected to set new benchmarks in safe, efficient, and sustainable large-scale CO2 shipping.
Future Prospects
The approval of this LCO2 carrier design marks a pivotal moment in the maritime industry, showcasing the potential for low-pressure shipping technology to revolutionize CO2 transport. As the world moves towards decarbonization, the collaboration between Shell and Brevik Engineering could lead to significant advancements in the CCS sector, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
In related developments, the Northern Lights project, a joint venture involving Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies, has also made strides in CO2 shipping with the delivery of two LNG-powered LCO2 carriers, further underscoring the growing importance of this sector in global efforts to combat climate change.
Sources
- DNV Grants Aip For Shell And Brevik Engineering’S LCO2, Marine News Magazine.
- Shell-Brevik Engineering LCO2 carrier design wins DNV AiP, Offshore-Energy.biz.
