ECOLOG’s 40,000 cbm LCO2 carrier design gets ABS AiP

Classification society ABS has issued an approval in principle (AIP) for a low pressure, shallow-draft, low carbon footprint 40,000 cbm liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design to Greece-based mid-stream CCUS services provider ECOLOG Services.

The AIP results from extensive cooperation within a joint industry project on the detailed design development, taking into account LCO2 critical characteristics, including operational requirements with respect to low pressure and shallow draft.

As explained, the design maximizes energy integration and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.

The project team included Hanwha Ocean, which developed the hull and cargo tank design, and Babcock LGE, which contributed its expertise on cargo handling systems and integration.

“ECOLOG, as a mid-stream CO2 services company, is dedicated to net zero, supporting urgent action on climate change. ECOLOG has contributed to this JIP with its knowledge in cryogenic gas transportation and how LCO2 shipping transportation fits in the wider Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) supply chain. The effect of a wide variety of CO2 compositions on the resilience and commerciality of the containment and cargo handling system versatility was a key consideration in the AIP study,” Panos Deligiannis, Head of Shipping, ECOLOG, said.

“ECOLOG is committed to building and owning a fleet of liquid CO2 carriers to serve the emerging CCUS sector. ECOLOG’s strategy revolves around connecting hard-to-abate emitters with cost-competitive sequestration sites and high-value re-use facilities, utilizing ECOLOG’s midstream infrastructure, including ships and terminals. ECOLOG is developing the world’s first large scale CO2 service platform in the CCUS supply chain. ECOLOG has the ambition to build a business that can liquefy, transport and store 50 million tons of CO2 annually anywhere in the world,” he added.

“This vessel that received AIP from ABS is a new type of LCO2 carrier capable of transporting large quantities of liquid CO2, which can dramatically improve operating costs. Hanwha Ocean will continue to strive for the development of ultra-large LCO2 carriers,” Seung-Han Moon, Hanwha Ocean Head of Engineering & Technology Unit, noted.

“Participation in this exciting joint industry project further builds on recent developments in CO2 shipping for Babcock LGE’s ecoCO2® technology. Working with ECOLOG, Hanwha Ocean and ABS ensured that our ecoCO2® solution was optimised for CCUS value chain parameters including shipping profiles, loading and discharge terminal parameters, cargo composition and cargo volumes. Award of this AiP marks a crucial decarbonisation milestone at a time when collaboration on new ship designs matters more now than ever,” Michael Scott, Sales Director, Babcock LGE, concluded.

ABS recently awarded ECOLOG an industry-first Document of Compliance for the operation of liquified CO2 carriers on behalf of the Bermuda flag administration.