The conceptual design of the 23,000 m3 and 50,000 m3 large liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carriers, jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), MOL and Nihon Shipyard, has received Approval-in-Principle (AiP) from Nippon Keisen Kaisha (NK) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). In addition to the above four companies, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding are also involved in some of the design work.
Demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to grow in tandem with various CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) projects involving the transportation of CO2 captured in Japan to storage sites located oversea. Recently, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Nihon Shipyard, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corporation have collaborated to achieve standardization of LCO2 carriers suited for use by multiple projects, and to establish a supply chain in order to build and supply LCO2 carriers consistently within Japan, which would contribute towards the realization and improvement of economic efficiency of CCS value chains. These initiatives have led to the acquisitions of two AiPs in collaboration with three major Japanese shipping companies: “K” LINE, MOL and NYK Line.
The two LCO2 carriers that received AiP certifications are low-pressure type 50,000m3-class and 23,000m3-class vessels developed for long-distance ocean voyages. The AiP certifications assume the use of appropriate cargo tank material as a replacement for the nickel steel previously considered. Additionally, post welding heat treatment (PWHT), one of critical issues in establishing the cargo tank manufacturing, may be omitted by the Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) approach is included.
NYK believes that the establishment of CO2 transport technology by large vessels will greatly contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society. In its medium-term management plan “Sail Green, Drive Transformations 2026 — A Passion for Planetary Wellbeing. “announced in March 2023, NYK has positioned LCO2 transport as one of the new businesses in which it will actively invest and is promoting joint creation with partner companies in Japan and oversea.