- AiP certifications for low-pressure type liquefied CO2 carriers have been acquired with a view to standardization for large-scale international marine transportation
- Preparations for early market entry of liquefied CO2 carriers, including application to the Japanese Government’s CCS development projects, are being accelerated
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL); Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE); Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., a joint venture for ship design and sales between Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Japan Marine United Corporation; Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line); Mitsui & Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group have jointly acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for two types of low-pressure type liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers under their joint development, according to an article published on their website.
AiP certifications
A presentation ceremony took place on September 17 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the venue of Gastech 2024, a major international conference on global energy and environmental issues, including natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and hydrogen, held in Houston, Texas.
Demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to grow in tandem with various CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) projects involving the transportation of CO2 captured in Japan to storage sites located overseas. Recently, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Nihon Shipyard, Mitsui & Co., and Mitsubishi Corporation have collaborated to achieve standardization of LCO2 carriers suited for use by multiple projects and to establish a supply chain to build and supply LCO2 carriers consistently within Japan, which would contribute towards the realization and improvement of economic efficiency of CCS value chains. These initiatives have led to the acquisitions of two AiPs in collaboration with three major Japanese shipping companies: “K” LINE, MOL, and NYK Line.
The two LCO2 carriers that received AiP certifications are low-pressure type 50,000m3-class and 23,000 m-class vessels developed for long-distance ocean voyages. The AiP certifications assume the use of appropriate cargo tank material to replace the nickel steel previously considered. Additionally, post-welding heat treatment (PWHT)*3, one of critical issues in establishing cargo tank manufacturing, may be omitted by the Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) approach is included.
The MOL Group’s Vision is to develop a variety of social infrastructure businesses in addition to traditional shipping businesses. It will meet the evolving social needs including environmental conservation, with innovative technology and services.
The CCS/CCUS business is an initiative that is consistent with the MOL Group Vision, as well as with the expansion by non-shipping companies outlined in the BLUE ACTION 2035 management plan and one of the strategies in the MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2, namely, “Expand low-carbon/decarbonized business by leveraging the group’s collective strengths.” From the blue oceans, the MOL Group will contribute to the sustainable development of society and the preservation of nature, sustain people’s lives, and ensure a prosperous future, by expanding business upstream and downstream in the CCS/CCUS value chain, acquiring projects, and accelerating the development of the value chain.
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Source: MOL
