DSOC and partners get DNV’s blessing for LCO2 carrier vessel concepts

Classification society DNV has issued approval in principle (AiP) to China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co. (DSOC) and its industry partners for liquid CO2 (LCO2) carrier vessel concepts.

The certificate was issued during the international energy event ONS in Stavanger, Norway, for DSOC’s 12,000 cubic meter (cbm) and 20,000 cbm LCO2 carrier vessel concepts, acknowledging the overall feasibility of the ships’ designs.

DSOC developed the CO2 carrier ship designs in collaboration with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), CSSC 708 Research Institute, Jiangsu Watts Energy, and German liquefied gas systems provider TGE Marine.

The AiP certificate follows the cooperation agreement on developing CO2 transport ships signed by DNV, DSOC, and its partners in May this year.

Mathias Sørhaug, Business Development Director CO2 Shipping at DNV Maritime, said: “DNV is very proud to collaborate with such a strong consortium of technology providers. This new and exciting ship segment features highly relevant vessel designs for the emerging trade patterns in Northern Europe. We look forward to the next steps in this journey and to seeing these innovations come to life.”

In December 2023, DSOC received two AiP certificates from DNV for the design of a 50,000 cubic meter floating LCO2 storage and injection unit (FSIU) and a 20,000 cubic meter LCO2 carrier.

DSOC is currently building LCO2 carriers for Northern Lights, a joint venture (JV) of energy majors Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies, a part of Norway’s efforts to develop a full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain, comprising a receiving terminal, underwater infrastructure (including the pipeline, subs installations, and wells), intermediate storage tanks, and onshore facilities.

The Chinese yard will build four LCO2 careers which, once operational, will embark on a mission to load captured and liquefied CO2 from industrial emitters and transport it to the Northern Lights receiving facilities in Øygarden, Norway, from where the CO2 will be injected into the offshore reservoir for permanent storage.

The construction of the first-of-their-kind vessels began in November 2022 and the first two vessels, installed with custom-built 7,500 cubic meters cargo tanks designed to transport liquefied CO2, were launched in April 2024.

On May 30, DSOC held the steel-cutting ceremony for the third LCO2 carrier.

Combining LNG propulsion with wind-assisted technology and air lubrication, the ships are expected to have around 34% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional ships running on marine fuel.