Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has just announced the launch of its first test ship designed to transport liquefied CO2.
The major event marks yet another important milestone for the shipping industry, among several others taking place within close proximity to one another.
Earlier this month, the American Bureau of Shipping issued its approval of two separate onboard carbon capture systems to help decarbonize the sector.
But transporting liquefied carbon dioxide of LCO2 is key to the decarbonization of the global economy, as for many countries currently developing carbon capture technologies, storage of the captured CO2 on site or transportation via pipeline are not possible.
In these cases, such as for Japan, where there is little or no potential for geological storage, the captured emissions must be shipped by sea to locations with optimal geology, such as in and around Australia, for instance.
Hence, the launch of a test LCO2 carrier will greatly help advance decarbonization efforts.
Relevant: ABS Approves New Onboard Carbon Capture Project
The ceremony took place at the Shimonoseki Shipyard in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, and the ship will be chartered by the Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA).
R&D on the carrier’s performance, such as its stability, cost-effectiveness and pressure control will be conducted by Ochanomizu University and additional partners including major industry players like Nippon Gas Line Co. and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE).
As for the vessel’s design and construction, these fall into the technological expertise of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding.
Once outfitting and sea trials have successfully been passed, the new LCO2 carrier is set to be delivered in the second half of 2023, and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will aim to further develop its technologies to help create a full carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) value chain.
Read more: Chinese Shipbuilder To Provide Liquefied CO2 Carriers For Northern Lights
