DNV has awarded a General Approval for Ship Application (GASA) certificate to Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), MISC Berhad (MISC), Petronas CCS Ventures (PCCSV) and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), for a jointly-developed 62,000m3 liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design.
This certification builds upon an approval in principle (AiP) awarded by DNV in 2023 and highlights the growing role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Asia’s decarbonisation efforts. The vessel design includes several innovative features intended to enhance the long-haul transport of LCO2. A key part of the design is the cargo containment system, which uses advanced materials for greater safety and efficiency, and includes a reliquefaction system for pressure and temperature regulation. Additional elements of the design include: an energy-saving propulsion system, optimised hull design, and LNG as fuel to boost fuel economy and environmental performance.
CCS is gaining momentum as a promising solution to help countries transition to a low-carbon future across Asia Pacific. Several countries, including Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Singapore, are investing in the development of infrastructure, launching projects, and forging cross-border partnerships to accelerate CCS deployment.
Daisuke Fujihashi, GM Carbon Solutions Business Development Unit, MOL, said: “The LCO2 carrier is an indispensable component in building a cross-border CCS value chain across the Asia-Pacific region. This GASA certification awarded by DNV not only demonstrates the feasibility of safe and efficient CO2 transport but also marks a significant step forward in the transition toward a decarbonised society, backed by internationally recognized design credibility. At Mitsui OSK Lines, we regard the LCO2 carrier not merely as a means of transportation, but as a vital ‘artery’ for the social implementation of CCS. Moving forward, we will continue to work closely with our partner companies to contribute to the development of sustainable maritime transport infrastructure that supports global decarbonisation efforts.”
Zahid Osman, President and Group CEO, MISC, added: “As a critical enabler, LCO2 carriers help address one of the biggest gaps in the CCS value chain, particularly when emitters lack access to nearby sequestration sites. By ensuring safe and efficient maritime transport and storage of CO₂, we play our part in managing societal emissions in a practical and scalable way. This aligns seamlessly with MISC’s long-term ‘delivering progress’ strategy, focusing on providing safe, efficient and reliable maritime solutions that meet the world’s evolving needs. We firmly believe that meaningful partnerships are key to turning shared ambitions into reality, and we thank DNV for this recognition as we work together towards a more sustainable future.”
Nor A’in Md Salleh, CEO of PCCSV subsidiary Petronas CCS Solutions, said: “Developing a scalable LCO2 carrier design is essential to realising the offering of cross-border CCS as a solution to the hard-to-abate industries in the region. This certification reflects our commitment to safe, efficient carbon transport aligned with broader decarbonisation goals. DNV’s rigorous review and validation of the design have been instrumental in strengthening stakeholder confidence and accelerating progress toward a robust CCS value chain.”
Antony M Dsouza, SVP and Regional Manager, Southeast Asia, Pacific and India, Maritime, DNV, concluded: “LCO2 carriers are a vital link in the emerging CCS value chain, enabling the safe and efficient transport of captured carbon across borders. With storage and capture capacity expected to quadruple by 2030, scalable and reliable ship designs will be key to unlocking this growth. Through this collaboration, we are proud to bring together DNV’s technical expertise and our partners’ innovative drive to support the development of a robust carbon transport infrastructure for the region.”
Image: The GASA presentation in Kuala Lumpur (source: DNV)
