Japanese shipping players unite to develop LCO2 carrier design and enable large-scale LCO2 transport by 2028

A group of seven Japanese shipping players and shipbuilders has started a joint study to establish standard specifications and designs for liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers as well as a construction supply chain.

The parties involved in the joint study are Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), K Line, NYK Line, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Imabari Shipbuilding, Nihon Shipyard, and Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU).

Observing the growing demand for LCO2 carriers in various carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects that transport CO2 collected in Japan to storage sites by sea, the companies found it necessary to build and supply LCO2 carriers stably within Japan to realize the CCS value chain and improve economic efficiency.

The joint study seeks to establish standard specifications and designs for LCO2 carriers and set up a construction supply chain in Japan by 2028.

Additionally, the companies intend to collaborate widely with industry stakeholders, including other shipyards that share the same awareness of the issues, to contribute to the further progress of a decarbonized society by developing low-emission ships using decarbonization technologies, such as ammonia fuel.

At the end of 2023, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with compatriot Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corporation on the collaborative study for ocean-going LCO2 carriers.