ABS issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a low pressure, shallow-draught, low carbon footprint 40,000m3 liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design for Ecolog Services.
This AiP is the result of extensive cooperation within a joint industry project on the detailed design development, taking into account LCO2 critical characteristics, including operational requirements with respect to low pressure and shallow draught. The design maximises energy integration and minimises GHG emissions. The project team included Hanwha Ocean which developed the hull and cargo tank design as well as Babcock LGE which contributed input on cargo handling systems and integration.
ABS completed design reviews in accordance with the requirements in ABS Marine Vessel Rules and the ABS Guide for Liquefied Gas Carriers with Independent Tanks.
Panos Koutsourakis, ABS VP Global Sustainability said: “ABS is proud to use our expertise as the world’s leading classification society for gas carriers to support Ecolog, Hanwha and Babcock LGE with this new design that supports the global energy transition. The safe transportation of CO2 plays a vital role in the carbon value chain, and we are ready to support such projects with guidance to minimise risks to the crew, vessel and the environment.”
Dr. Panos Deligiannis, Head of Shipping, Ecolog, said: “Ecolog, as a mid-stream CO2 services company, is dedicated to net zero, supporting urgent action on climate change. Ecolog contributed to the JIP with its knowledge in cryogenic gas transportation and how LCO2 shipping transportation fits in the wider Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) supply chain. The effect of a wide variety of CO2 compositions on the resilience and commerciality of the containment and cargo handling system versatility was a key consideration in the AIP study. Ecolog is committed to building and owning a fleet of liquid CO2 carriers to serve the emerging CCUS sector. Ecolog’s strategy revolves around connecting hard-to-abate emitters with cost-competitive sequestration sites and high-value re-use facilities, utilizing Ecolog’s midstream infrastructure, including ships and terminals. Ecolog is developing the first large scale CO2 service platform in the CCUS supply chain. Ecolog has the ambition to build a business that can liquefy, transport and store 50 million tons of CO2 annually anywhere in the world.”
Seung-Han Moon, Hanwha Ocean Head of Engineering and Technology said: “This vessel that received AiP from ABS is a new type of LCO2 carrier capable of transporting large quantities of liquid CO2, which can dramatically improve operating costs. Hanwha Ocean will continue to strive for the development of ultra-large LCO2 carriers.”
Michael Scott, Sales Director, Babcock LGE added: “Participation in this exciting joint industry project further builds on recent developments in CO2 shipping for Babcock LGE’s ecoCO2 technology. Working with Ecolog, Hanwha Ocean and ABS ensured that our ecoCO2 solution was optimised for CCUS value chain parameters including shipping profiles, loading and discharge terminal parameters, cargo composition and cargo volumes. Award of this AiP marks a crucial decarbonisation milestone at a time when collaboration on new ship designs matters more now than ever.”
Image: LCO2 carrier rendering (credit: Ecolog)
