Japanese LCO2 carrier design secures ClassNK approval

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co and Nippon Gas Line (NGL) have jointly acquired approval in principle (AIP) ClassNK for a low-pressure type liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier to be operated on coastal routes.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and NGL received the AIP certification from ClassNK following a jointly conducted concept study on low-pressure type coastal LCO2 carriers, assuming their use for transport from small-scale CO2 capture sites mainly in the Seto Inland Sea area to base sites toward overseas storage sites.

The concept study has been conducted in conjunction with the FY2024 Japanese Advanced CCS Projects carried out by the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding said the LCO2 carrier receiving the newly acquired AIP is a versatile small-sized ship designed for use in domestic seas.

NGL is a participant of the CCS Engineering Design Work in Sarawak, Malaysia project, which calls for the launch of a sea transport scheme using highly versatile small-sized LCO2 carriers to consolidate CO2 collected in Japan for overseas shipping.

The project aims to enhance business efficiency through shipment scale expansion.