Solvang gas carrier in 'world-first' test of full-scale onboard carbon capture system

All eyes in shipping will be on the semi-refrigerated/ethylene carrier Clipper Eris as it begins a yearlong pilot testing the world’s first full-scale onboard carbon capture system (OCCS).

In announcing the achievement, Norwegian shipowner Solvang ASA’s chief executive Edvin Endresen called the OCCS “a significant shortcut to decarbonisation.” Plans call for the amine-based cleaning technology supplied by Wärtsilä to capture nearly 70% of CO2 emitted in the exhaust gas from the two-stroke, slow-speed main engine. Once captured, the CO2 is liquefied and stored in tanks on deck for discharge for sequestration or use.

The Norway-flag gas carrier’s 7,100-kW main engine, a Hyundai-B&W 6S50ME-C8.5, operates on heavy fuel oil, burning on average about 22 tonnes per day. The vessel is fitted with a Wärtsilä hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system.

Wärtsilä Marine president, Roger Holm, called the project “a major leap forward for maritime decarbonisation,” noting the effort required close collaboration to make it a reality. Joining Solvang and Wärtsilä in the pilot project are engine designer MAN Energy Solutions, and the Norwegian research institute SINTEF.

Singapore yard undertakes retrofit

Singapore’s Seatrium was contracted to supply the basic design, detailed engineering, procurement, upgrading electrical and automation systems, and integrating the 7-MW carbon capture, compression and storage system.

Over the past few months, Clipper Eris was in drydock in Singapore for the retrofit, and the vessel was berthed at Seatrium Admiralty Yard on 18 January, according to vessel positioning service provider Vessel Tracker.

Seatrium has also been contracted to retrofit a Filtree OCCS from Value Maritime on Mitsui OSK Lines’ LR 1 product tanker Nexus Victoria.

Solvang, which received funding from ENOVA SF to kickstart the pilot in 2023, is a firm believer in OCCS technology. Riding on the pilot’s success are potential additional installations of the technology in Solvang’s gas carrier fleet. The shipowner has seven new vessels under construction, all designed and ready OCCS technology to be installed.

OCCS is seen as a potential bridging technology to reduce CO2 emissions to help meet IMO greenhouse gas reduction targets and decarbonisation goals while shipping awaits the widespread production and availability of low-and zero-carbon alternative fuels – which appear to be years away. OCCS could be a solution to allow existing ships – difficult and expensive to convert for alternative fuel use – to lower CO2 emissions.

Carbon capture has been used on land for decades but is still in its embryonic stage in shipping. The success of the pilot could trigger other shipowners to embrace the technology.

But Mr Endresen noted two challenges for OCCS to succeed: global infrastructure and regulations. “CO2 can be recycled and used in land-based industries, but the global infrastructure for discharge for shipping needs to be developed fast. In addition, IMO must implement global regulations with benefits and penalty schemes for achieving the set goals. Predictability is necessary for the industry to invest in solutions for reducing CO2 emissions,” he said.