- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 12) has begun developing interim safety guidelines for on-board carbon capture and storage (OCCS) systems.
- The regulatory framework will initially focus on chemical absorption capture systems, establishing functional safety rules for compression, storage, crew protection, and port offloading.
- Final guidelines are expected to be approved in 2029 as non-mandatory recommendations, leaving early projects reliant on flag administration and classification society approvals until then.
The IMO has begun work on interim safety guidelines for ships equipped with on-board carbon capture and storage (OCCS) systems, with the aim of gradually establishing a common international framework for the use of this technology.
CCC 12 is initiating the development of safety rules for on-board carbon capture and storage. The aim is to regulate the safe use of this technology as a means of reducing emissions.
OCCS is expected to be regulated through interim guidelines that will set out general objectives and functional safety requirements without mandating a specific technology. Chemical absorption is expected to be addressed initially, followed by other methods.
The guidelines will cover the entire system (from CO2 capture and processing to compression, storage, monitoring, and transfer to shore) while taking into account risks to the ship and crew, including CO2 asphyxiation and hazards associated with the chemicals used. No repairs to the IMDG Code are foreseen, as the necessary safety rules will be developed within the specific OCCS guidelines.
Potential and risks
OCCS is being considered as a potential technology for retrofitting the existing fleet, but its applicability depends not only on capture efficiency but also on energy requirements, available space, storage capacity, the vessel’s route, and the availability of infrastructure to receive and manage the captured CO2.
Beyond safety, unresolved issues remain regarding emissions accounting and verification, CO2 storage and utilization and its recognition within international and regional climate frameworks.
Therefore, while the IMO’s work will establish the necessary common safety framework, it will not in itself determine the economic and environmental viability of deploying OCCS.
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Guidelines for OCCS are still in the early stages, because they are expected to be finalized in 2028 and approved in 2029, initially serving as non-mandatory recommendations.
Until their adoption, projects will rely primarily on vessel-specific risk assessments and approvals from flag administrations and classification societies.
For operators, early implementation entails evaluating all aspects of the system that includes integration with the vessel, design, stability, crew safety, maintenance, and CO2 transfer. For now, the primary objective is to gather sufficient practical experience and evidence to form the basis for reliable, technology-neutral regulations.
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