Northern Lights orders China-built CO2 carriers

Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies’ joint venture company Northern Lights has awarded contracts to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) of China for the construction of two liquefied CO2 carriers in a series.

Each ship will measure 130 metres long and will have a total cargo capacity of 7,500 cubic metres. Delivery is scheduled for mid-2024.

The vessels’ engines will run primarily on LNG. Future emissions reducing features will include wind-assisted propulsion and air lubrication.

The CO2 carriers will be classed by DNV and will sail under the Norwegian flag. Once in operation, they will load captured and liquefied CO2 from European emitters and transport it to the Northern Lights receiving terminal in Øygarden in western Norway.