Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding have achieved a maritime milestone with the development of a carrier capable of transporting both liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) and methanol.
The design recently received the world’s first Approval in Principle (AiP) for such a dual-purpose ship from classification society ClassNK.
This new vessel concept is designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind. It carries LCO2 on outbound routes and synthetic methanol on the return journey, eliminating the inefficiency of empty ballast trips. The innovation supports a more circular and low-emission maritime economy.
The timing is ideal: as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies advance, synthetic methanol— produced from captured CO2 —is gaining traction as a clean marine fuel.
Its dual benefit of reducing emissions and recycling carbon makes it a promising solution for the shipping industry.
Built on a low-pressure LCO2 carrier framework, the vessel has been modified to meet the technical demands of transporting both liquefied CO2 and methanol, making it a flexible and forward-looking asset in the move toward cleaner ocean transport.
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