On May 14, the first European-built offshore carbon dioxide (CO2) carrier will be christened and launched at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the Netherlands, as reported by World Oil.
This specialized vessel is a key part of Project Greensand, which aims to establish the EU’s first full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain.
The carrier, developed by Royal Wagenborg and Royal Niestern Sander, highlights the Netherlands’ innovative shipbuilding capabilities.
Designed specifically for transporting liquefied CO2, the vessel will run regular routes from Port Esbjerg in Denmark to the Nini West platform in the North Sea.
There, the CO2 will be injected into geological formations 5,905 ft (1,800 m) beneath the seabed for safe, permanent storage.
INEOS, together with Harbour Energy and Nordsøfonden, made the Final Investment Decision in December 2024 to move forward with full-scale CCS operations at the Nini field in the Danish sector of the southern North Sea.
Relevant: INEOS Sets Stage For $150M+ Investment In Carbon Capture Project Greensand
This has enabled over $151.4 million (1 billion DKK) in anticipated investment across the CCS value chain, supporting infrastructure and vessel construction.
The CO2 carrier includes advanced onboard systems for cooling and pressure management, ensuring safe and efficient transport.
With the hull completed, the ship is now entering its final construction phase, which includes commissioning and sea trials.
According to Mads Gade, CEO of INEOS Energy Europe, the geology in the Danish North Sea is ideal for permanent CO2 storage, allowing them to make a major contribution to climate goals.
Project Greensand is set to begin offshore CO2 injection by late 2025 or early 2026, starting with 400,000 tons of CO2 annually and aiming to scale up to 8 million tons per year by 2030.
This launch marks a major milestone in Europe’s transition toward sustainable industrial practices.
Read more: INEOS And Royal Wagenborg Partner To Transport CO2 For Project Greensand
