Japanese companies ‘K’ Line, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and NYK Line have started a joint study with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Imabari Shipbuilding, JMU and Nihon Shipyard (a joint venture between Imabari Shipbuilding and JMU), to establish standard specifications and designs for LCO2 carriers.
As the demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to grow in various CCS (carbon dioxide capture and storage) projects that transport CO2 collected in Japan to storage sites by sea, it is necessary to build and supply LCO2 carriers stably within Japan to realise the CCS value chain and improve economic efficiency. Therefore, the seven companies have agreed to conduct a joint study to establish standard specifications and designs for LCO2 carriers and to establish a construction supply chain.
The study will focus on LCO2 carriers and aim to enable construction at other shipyards in Japan as well. Additionally, the companies plan to collaborate widely with industry stakeholders, including other shipyards that share the same awareness of the issues, to contribute to the further progress of a decarbonised society by developing low emission ships using decarbonisation technologies (such as ammonia fuel).
Image: Liquid CO2 carrier concept (source: Mitsui OSK Lines)
