What is believed to be the first ship with a full-scale carbon capture facility is ready for pilot testing, with the expectation for the technology to offer a milestone for the merchant fleet en route to zero emissions.
The ship Clipper Eris, owned by Norwegian company Solvang, is the first to be installed with technology for Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS). OCCS cleans the exhaust gases, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70%, and stores the extracted carbon pollutant in deck tanks for discharge to sequestration or use.
Edvin Endresen, CEO Solvang, said: “Onboard carbon capture combined with existing cleaning technology is a significant shortcut to decarbonisation of the world’s deep-sea fleet. This stands out as one of the more promising solutions for future vessels.”
The pilot project is a collaborative effort between Solvang, Wärtsilä, MAN Energy Solutions, and the research institute Sintef. Solvang has seven new vessels under construction, all designed to be ready for installation of OCCS technology.
Wärtsilä Marine president Roger Holm said: “The introduction of carbon capture and storage capabilities on board the Clipper Eris is a major leap forward for maritime sustainability. It represents a system change that has been made possible by close collaboration between our companies. We at Wärtsilä are proud to be helping shape the decarbonisation of the marine industry, and we congratulate Solvang for their vision and support in making this breakthrough possible.”
During Clipper Eris’ docking for a full retrofit at the Seatrium Admiralty shipyard in Singapore the OCCS has been fitted, preparing for far stricter future environmental requirements. Pilot testing will begin in early February 2025.
Solvang believes that for OCCS to be a success on a larger scale, more shipping companies and industry stakeholders must recognise the benefits and join in. Two key factors for succeeding with OCCS technology in shipping are seen as infrastructure and global regulations.
Endresen said: “CO2 can be recycled and used in land-based industries, but the global infrastructure for discharge for shipping needs to be developed fast. In addition, IMO must implement global regulations with benefits and penalty schemes for achieving the set goals. Predictability is necessary for the industry to invest in solutions for reducing CO2 emissions.”
Solvang’s mission with the OCCS pilot is to install sustainable technology across the fleet and contribute to reduce global shipping’s environmental footprint in line with the IMO decarbonisation targets. The project goes alongside a series of substantial measures in the fields of optimising machinery, propeller and rudder improvements, hull optimisation, as well as advanced scrubber technology.
In 2023, Solvang received funding from the Norwegian State, through Enova, making it possible to start the OCCS pilot project on Clipper Eris.
Enova senior advisor Børge Noddeland said: “Enova is following this demonstration project with great anticipation. Carbon capture on board ships is a very interesting technology, that can play an important role in the transition towards the low emission society.”
Image: CO2 storage tank installation on ‘Clipper Eris’ (source: Solvang)
