Shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has signed a deal with Climeworks to remove 13,400 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2030, marking the first partnership between Climeworks and a company in the maritime sector.
Alongside the carbon removal agreement, the two companies signed an MoU exploring potential investment in Climeworks‘ future Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants, as the carbon removal pioneer scales up toward million-ton capacity by the 2030s.
The agreement is part of MOL’s broader climate strategy, which includes a target to remove 2.2 million tons of CO2 by 2030. The company aims to hit net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the International Maritime Organization’s climate goals.
Hisashi Umemura, Senior Executive Officer of MOL, commented: “At Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, we’re committed to navigating toward a net-zero future. Contributing to the expansion of high-integrity carbon removal credits, driven by Climeworks’ state-of-the-art Direct Air Capture technology, empowers us to address emissions that are hard to eliminate through conventional methods.”
MOL’s move highlights the increasing role of durable carbon removal in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like shipping, where electrification is not yet a viable solution.
This deal also makes MOL Climeworks’ first Japanese customer — a significant milestone following Japan’s 2024 decision to include durable removals in its national emissions trading scheme.
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“Entering a partnership to remove CO2 from the air goes far beyond reducing figures in a sustainability report. We seek strong, long-term partners like Mitsui O.S.K. Lines — companies that recognize the scale of the climate challenge and the strategic opportunity of early action,” said Adrian Siegrist, Climeworks CCO.
“This includes preferential access to carbon removal capacity and the chance to drive business innovation. Every company thinking about becoming a buyer today is well-positioned to propel this sector forward for their own benefit.”
Together, MOL and Climeworks aim to accelerate the global shift toward net zero.
Read more: Global Shipping Secures First-Ever Emissions Mandate, Carbon Fee Included
