Value Maritime, partners win funding for CCS aboard Samskip Kvitbjorn

Dutch maritime technology company Value Maritime and its partners in the Maritime Efficient & Easy Carbon Capture (ME2CC) project have received funding from the Maritime Masterplan 2024 to advance the development, construction and demonstration of a compact, modular carbon capture system to be installed aboard LNG-powered, combination container and Roll-On/Roll-Off (ConRo) ship, Samskip Kvitbjorn.

The Samskip Kvitbjorn operates on a fixed route from Rotterdam along the Norwegian west coast to Hammerfest, which is considered one of Europe’s most environmentally sensitive regions. By retrofitting the vessel with Value Maritime’s CO2 capture system, the consortium wants to ensure it meets the low-emission requirements set by the European Union (EU) and Norwegian authorities.

As informed, the ME2CC project aims to create a scalable, compact carbon capture system that utilizes patented techniques to reduce the system’s height and footprint by up to one-third compared to existing absorption technologies, while maintaining low-pressure drop. This approach, combined with the use of hot flue gas for onboard electricity generation, enhances both operational efficiency and emission reduction, according to Value Maritime.

“By capturing CO2 emissions and simultaneously reducing fuel consumption, the ME2CC system addresses two critical challenges for the maritime industry: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering operating costs,” the company said.

To note, captured CO2 will be offloaded in port and transported to land-based CO2 hubs. These hubs are said to utilize economies of scale and renewable electricity to regenerate the CO2, improving system efficiency and minimizing costs and environmental impact. The processed CO2 will then be prepared for downstream applications, including use in agriculture and other industries.

This modular and scalable system is designed to accommodate a wide range of vessel types, from shortsea and inland shipping to large offshore vessels, Value Maritime pointed out, adding that the modular design also facilitates easy installation and removal, enabling leasing models for carbon capture technology.

Christiaan Nijst, Co-Founder and Director of the Value Group, commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding, which provides an important stimulus to the ME2CC project, and to the maritime energy transition. The combination of low costs for shipping companies and the compact, modular nature of this solution makes it highly scalable and widely applicable. This initiative underscores our commitment to driving meaningful change in the maritime industry.”

Erik Hofmeester, Head of Vessel Management at Samskip, stated: “We have spent years actively pursuing sustainable solutions across our fleet, and the retrofitting of the Samskip Kvitbjorn aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of shipping. Working alongside Value Maritime and the ME2CC consortium members, we are ensuring that the Samskip Kvitbjorn meets the low-emission requirements set by the EU and Norwegian authorities, all while continuing to provide reliable service for our customers.”

Fokke van der Veen, Program Manager, Energy Systems at Maritime Masterplan, remarked: “We are very pleased that this ambitious consortium, ME2CC, is part of the first call within the Maritime Masterplan. Development and demonstration of Onboard Carbon Capture with an LNG energy system will certainly lead to a more sustainable maritime future.”

The ME2CC consortium, headed by Value Maritime, consists of Samskip Holding, B2B Marine, Fusie Engineers, Devoteq, Brusche Process Technology, Heatmaster and Yard Energy Group. A few years ago, the partners worked on the development of the first small-scale carbon capture system, installed aboard the vessel Nordica.