MTF: Key recommendations put on the table for shipping industry to accelerate OCCS adoption

January 22, 2025, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

In a new report, the Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has offered key recommendations to consider as the shipping industry looks to adopt onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology.

The report highlights the regulatory and safety considerations for the adoption of onboard carbon capture while also recognizing the importance of developing a secure and scalable downstream carbon value chain and increasing carbon capture system cost-effectiveness.

Based on the findings of the publication, MTF has outlined the following key recommendations, including:

Collaborate to create a secure downstream value chain comprising of CO2 offloading facilities, transport infrastructure and long-term storage, together with associated MRV schemes, with the goal of permanently storing captured CO2.
Establish clear and consistent regulations on safety and environmental performance, which include:
- Develop safety guidelines specifically for OCCS, covering aspects like equipment design, risk assessment, and emergency response procedures.
- Consistently incorporate OCCS into existing regulations, such as the EEDI, EEXI and CII as well as the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime measures.
- Develop certification schemes for downstream CO2 value chain infrastructure.
Define acceptable levels of CO2 impurities and develop standardized guidelines for safe CO2 handling, including offloading procedures and port infrastructure requirements.
Amend the Safety Management Systems and develop specialized training programs for crew members covering the operation, maintenance, and emergency procedures for OCCS systems.
Focus on the development of OCCS technologies to increase CO2 capture rates, reduce energy demand, and, thus, increase cost-effectiveness and demonstrate OCCS systems in pilot projects to gather operational experience.

“This report identifies the various variables and challenges that are impacting broad adoption of onboard carbon capture, including the need for a downstream carbon value chain. These recommendations will help establish a robust framework for standards and requirements,” Lars Lippuner, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Director of UK Customer Maritime Services, said.

“Carbon capture is shaping up to be a key transformational technology and enabler for shipping to achieve its net-zero emissions goals. The recommendations outlined in this latest report offer important steps for industry and regulators to consider, helping support the safe and efficient adoption of onboard carbon capture,” Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, commented.

Launched in 2021, MTF is a group of flag states and classification societies which aims to bridge the gap between technological progress and regulatory process.

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Collaboration

For this report, MTF carried out a high-level analysis of current regulations and ongoing discussions to identify key drivers for safe adoption of OCCS.

The ‘2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships’ outlines the IMO’s goals for reducing carbon emissions to net zero (or near) by 2050. To achieve this, alternative fuels will likely need supplementary carbon emission reduction measures, such as onboard carbon capture.

In related news, Solvang’s ethylene carrier Clipper Eris is set to commence pilot testing as “the world’s first” ship equipped with a full-scale carbon capture facility, following a CCS retrofit by Singapore’s shipbuilding group Seatrium.

The full-scale CCS retrofit of the 21,289 cubic meter ethylene carrier is a joint initiative by Solvang, Seatrium, technology provider Wärtsilä, German engine maker MAN Energy Solutions, and the research institute SINTEF.