Samsung to enter onboard carbon capture market

Carbon Clean, a firm specialisng in carbon capture technology, and South Korean giant Samsung Engineering inked a joint development agreement (JDA) to explore opportunities for onboard CCS projects. 

Onboard carbon capture enables ships to capture CO2 emissions while operating, bridging the gap while low-carbon fuels such as green ammonia, methanol and hydrogen are scaled.

The JDA will focus on optimising Carbon Clean’s modular carbon capture technology, CycloneCC, for use on board ships. 

There is growing pressure to decarbonise shipping, given the enhanced emissions targets set earlier this year by IMO. Through this JDA, Samsung and Carbon Clean will work together to expand their onboard CCS business.

Carbon Clean claims its equipment is 10 times smaller than a conventional carbon capture unit and boasts a 50% smaller footprint. The modular CycloneCC uses a proprietary amine-promoted buffer salt solvent and a process technology, rotating packed beds, and is tailored for vessels and their limited space at a low cost of capture per tonne of CO2 emitted.  

Samsung Engineering president Hong Namkoong said, “Samsung Engineering’s expertise and experience in EPC, as well as our excellent track record in modularisation projects has led to this JDA for developing OCCS projects with Carbon Clean. This strategic alliance will create viable solutions for major global clients by combining the excellence of both companies and creating a sustainable path for the future in this era of energy transition.”

Carbon Clean chief executive Aniruddha Sharma said, “Accounting for 3% of global CO2 emissions, decarbonising the shipping industry plays a significant role in the net-zero puzzle. I look forward to our partnership with Samsung Engineering to offer carbon capture on board ships.” 

“Carbon Clean’s breakthrough modular carbon capture technology, CycloneCC, is ideally suited for use on ships, given its 10 times equipment size reduction and high performance. Carbon Clean is focused on delivering technology for all hard-to-abate industries, including the maritime industry, and I am looking forward to delivering real solutions to the shipping industry with Samsung Engineering as our strategic partners.”

Samsung Engineering and Carbon Clean signed the JDA at an official signing ceremony on 3 October at the 2023 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. 

Elsewhere, seagoing trails for carbon capture systems have begun. Last month, the 165,500-m³ capacity LNG carrier Seapeak Arwa was fitted with a CCS unit built by Dutch company Carbotreat as part of the EverLoNG project.