KNCC and COSCO Partner to Develop Offshore Liquid CO2 Carrier for Global CCUS Projects

Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS (KNCC), a joint venture between NYK Line and Knutsen Group, has teamed up with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (CHI) to advance the design of a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier.

The joint research, centered on KNCC’s LCO2-High Pressure (LCO2-EP) technology, will focus on developing a direct injection offshore (DIO) vessel concept.

The design could support carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects in the North Sea, where direct offshore injection can reduce the time and costs associated with setting up traditional onshore or floating infrastructure.

Using the LCO2-EP technology, the LCO2 is kept at ambient temperature and higher pressure, meaning no offshore heating is required before the liquefied gas is injected.

Oliver Hagen-Smith, CEO of KNCC, said the collaboration is expected to play a key role in realizing CCUS projects.

“KNCC’s LCO2-EP technology is best matched to offshore direct injection operations as it requires less onboard energy and complexity than other cryogenic modes of injecting CO2 into offshore permanent storage locations,” he added.

CHI’s executive in charge of offshore business, Wei Shi, echoed this sentiment, noting that the project offers opportunities for the shipbuilding and offshore industries to reduce CO2 emissions.

“The LCO2 direct injection vessel based on KNCC’s LCO2-EP technology represents a unique and attractive design and concept from a shipbuilder’s perspective. We are excited about the prospect of working with KNCC on this innovative project.”

The LCO2 carrier design under review received Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society DNV in 2022 and will receive further approval through General Approval for Ship Applications (GASA) in 2023.

At present, the use of LCO2 carriers in CCUS projects is still in the developmental and pilot stages, with a few projects either planning to use or exploring the use of such carriers.