Recently, the world’s first 7,500 m³ liquid carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carrier No. 1 and No. 2 built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, for the Norwegian Northern Lights has Launched successfully.
Each LCO₂ Carrier is about 130 meters in overall length, 21.2 meters in beam, 8 meters in structural draft, flying the Norwegian flag and classed by DNV. This 7,500 m³ LCO₂ Carrier is designed by Dalian Shipbuilding with complete independent intellectual property rights, which adopts a variety of innovative technological means during the research and development process, leading the future development direction of this ship type.
Equipped with two 3,750 m³ fully pressurized C-type liquid cargo tanks made of special materials for transporting carbon dioxide, the LCO₂ Carrier has a maximum carrying pressure of 19 barg and can withstand low temperatures of -35°C.
Meanwhile, the main engine is equipped with both LNG and marine light diesel fuel, and the SOx and NOx emission levels meet the most stringent requirements. By applying two innovative technologies, rotor sails and air bubble drag reduction, the emission level is significantly reduced and the energy saving effect is enhanced to meet the requirements of the state-of-the-art Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI Phase III).
Once operational, the two 7,500 m³ LCO₂ carriers will transport liquefied CO2 from industrial emitters to the Northern Lights receiving facilities in Øygarden, Norway. From here, the CO2 will be transported in a pipeline to a reservoir for permanent and safe storage at 2.600 m depth under the seabed.
As the world’s first vessel specializing in marine carbon transportation and storage, it will play a leading and demonstrative role in the global model for solving land-based carbon dioxide emissions, and will also become a landmark product of Dalian Shipbuilding’s green transformation.