Northern Lights, a joint venture between energy giants Shell, Equinor and TotalEnergies, has taken delivery of its second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier, the Northern Pathfinder. Northern Pathfinde will serve the “world’s first” cross-border CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure.
Northern Lights JV has announced the delivery of the 7,500 cbm “Northern Pathfinder” on December 27th. The vessel, with an overall length of 130 meters, a beam of 21.2 meters and a structural draft of 8 meters, was designed and built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC) with full intellectual property rights and is classed by DNV.
The overall technology of the vessel has reached the international leading level, applying innovative technologies such as rotor sails, bubble drag reduction, main engine exhaust gas monitoring system and axle belt generator, which significantly reduces the emission level, improves energy saving, and meets the requirements of the state-of-the-art Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI Phase III).
Northern Pathfinder is the second of a series of four LCO2 carriers, said to be part of the world’s largest dedicated LCO2 carrier fleet. The vessel will be registered in Norway and managed by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K LINE).
The first LCO2 carrier, the Northern Pioneer, was delivered in November this year. The new vessels are expected to play a key role in the safe transportation of liquid carbon dioxide from industrial capture sites in Europe to the Northern Lights receiving terminal in Øygarden, Norway.
These LCO2 carriers will use LNG as fuel and will be equipped with Norsepower’s wind-assisted propulsion system and air lubrication. According to Northern Lights JV, by combining an LNG-powered propulsion system with wind-assisted technology and air lubrication, the carbon footprint of these vessels will be reduced by approximately 34 percent compared to vessels using conventional marine fuels.
It has been disclosed that the Northern Pathfinder and Northern Pioneer will be testing and optimizing their energy-saving equipment during a repositioning voyage from China to Norway. Upon arrival in Norway, the vessels will begin mechanical commissioning activities at Øygarden and Brevik Receiving Terminal, home to the first operating customer, Heidelberg Materials.