A system of discharging liquefied CO2 while taking on bunkers has reached the next stage of development with the appointment of Lloyd’s Register to examine the concept
The technology to capture CO2 on tankers is understood and widely available, but capturing and liquefying CO2 would require a significant amount of space and absorb cargo-carrying capacity unless discharged efficiently.
Under a scheme being developed by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), offloading liquefied CO2 (LCO2) could take place alongside concurrent cargo and/or bunkering operations.
GCMD has initiated a concept study that will address safety and operational considerations surrounding offloading LCO2 that has been captured on board tankers, bulkers and container liners, including articulating the temperatures and pressures under which this process would optimally take place and the different receptacles to be used for this purpose.
The outcome of the study can also provide insights for offloading CO2 as a cargo under currently less-established operating and storage conditions.
GCMD has awarded its concept study on offloading LCO2 captured on board ships to Lloyd’s Register (LR), supported by its partner Arup. The adoption of the concept bridges a gap in the LCO2 supply chain.
Currently, there are no guidelines for offloading captured CO2 and the findings of the study will form a basis to enable sea trials in Phase 3 of the project Realising Maritime Carbon Capture to demonstrate the Ability to Lower Emissions (REMARCCABLE).
One of the world’s largest end-to-end demonstrations of shipboard CO2 capture at scale, Project REMARCCABLE is a 500-hour pilot that will use a non-proprietary amine-based solution, aiming to demonstrate 30% annual CO2 emissions reduction or 1,300 kg per hour of CO2, store 375 tonnes of LCO2 onboard, and offload LCO2 after 10 days of sailing.
On awarding the concept study to Lloyd’s Register, GCMD chief executive Professor Lynn Loo said, “We are pleased to be working with Lloyd’s Register on this LCO2 offloading concept study. The learnings from this study will inform how captured CO2 can be offloaded from various vessel types in general, and enable the sea trials on Stena Impero that are being planned as part of Project REMARCCABLE more specifically.”
On being successfully awarded the Invitation-for-Proposal, Lloyd’s Register chief executive Nick Brown said, “Conducting this concept study for the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation will deliver greater industry understanding around the safety and operational issues that need addressing for offloading captured LCO2 from vessels. This study, in collaboration with stakeholders from across the maritime value chain, will support the establishment of regulatory and operational guidelines around offloading captured liquid carbon dioxide from vessels, which is crucial to enabling the safe adoption of carbon capture technologies on board. It will also offer a timely assessment of the capital expenditure and operating expenditure of the infrastructure needed to offload liquid carbon dioxide from ships, thus enabling the industry to make informed decisions for creating this infrastructure.”
Arup ports and maritime leader Borbala Trifunovics said, “Action on maritime decarbonisation requires innovative new approaches to infrastructure and operations at ports. We are bringing together our maritime and energy expertise to shape solutions for LCO2 offloading that are safe, efficient and integrated with wider port functions.”
To support the study, GCMD has convened a consortium of Study Partners and Observers who have the relevant domain expertise, interest and experience to provide inputs over the course of the project and support the review of the final report. A list of participating organisations can be found at Annex A.
The study will commence in April 2023 and is expected to complete within nine months.
Offloading seaboard captured CO2 is a key element in the supply chain. Find out more at the CO2 Shipping & Terminals Conference 27 June 2023 in London. Register your interest here.
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