Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Chiyoda Corporation, and Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on CO2 transport projects in Japan and internationally, signaling growing coordination across the CCS value chain.
The partnership aims to combine expertise in engineering, shipping, and project development to accelerate deployment of CCS infrastructure. The companies will jointly explore opportunities across all project stages, from early concept design and feasibility studies to detailed engineering and construction.
A central focus of the collaboration is optimizing the transport of liquefied CO2, a critical link between capture sites and storage locations. Shipping is expected to play an increasingly important role in enabling cross-border carbon management, particularly where pipeline infrastructure is limited.
Strengthening the CCS value chain
The agreement builds on prior joint work conducted in 2024, where the companies assessed different liquefied CO2 shipping configurations, including elevated, medium, and low-pressure systems. The study evaluated cost structures, timelines, and technical challenges associated with deploying these transport options at scale.
By leveraging these findings, the partners intend to tailor integrated solutions for individual CCS projects, addressing both technical and economic considerations across the full value chain.
The collaboration reflects a broader trend in the CCS sector, where project viability depends on coordination between multiple components – capture, transport, and storage. Aligning these elements is seen as essential to reducing costs and enabling commercial-scale deployment.
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The companies also indicated that the partnership will support efforts to develop standardised approaches and improve the bankability of CCS projects, particularly as demand grows for cross-border carbon transport solutions.
The earlier study underpinning the collaboration was presented at a technical seminar organised by the Global CCS Institute, highlighting the role of industry-led research in advancing practical deployment pathways.
As CCS projects expand globally, partnerships like this are expected to play a key role in bridging technical gaps and accelerating the development of integrated carbon management networks.
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