Northern Lights JV Receives Second LNG-Powered CO2 Transport Ship

• The second LNG-powered liquid CO2 (LCO2) transport ship, Northern Pathfinder, has been delivered to Northern Lights JV.
• Northern Pathfinder will play a critical role in the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage project, part of Norway’s Longship initiative.
• The vessel features LNG propulsion, wind-assisted technology, and air lubrication, offering a 34% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional ships.
• Testing and mechanical commissioning will occur in Norway, with operational customer Heidelberg Materials as one of the first users.

Delivery and Vessel Specifications

As reported by Offshore Energy, Northern Lights JV, a partnership between Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies, announced the delivery of the Northern Pathfinder on December 27, 2024. The 7,500-cubic-meter vessel, built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC) in China, measures 130 meters in length.

The ship, the second in a series of four sister vessels, is part of the largest dedicated CO2 shipping fleet globally. Registered in Norway, it will be managed by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K LINE). The first ship, Northern Pioneer, was delivered in November 2024.

Environmental Advancements and Testing

The newbuilds run on LNG and incorporate Norsepower’s wind-assisted propulsion system and air lubrication technology. These features contribute to a 34% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional marine-fuel-powered vessels.

Northern Pathfinder and Northern Pioneer will undergo testing and optimization of their efficiency-enhancing devices during their repositioning voyage from China to Norway.

Operational Plans and Interface Training

Upon arrival in Norway, both ships will commence mechanical commissioning activities at the Northern Lights receiving terminal in Øygarden and Brevik, where operational customer Heidelberg Materials is located. Interface training for ship and shore staff will ensure a smooth transition into the operational phase.

Northern Lights and Norway’s Longship Project

Northern Lights represents the transport and storage segment of Norway’s Longship project. The Øygarden facility, officially opened in September 2024, is equipped with a receiving terminal, underwater infrastructure, storage tanks, and onshore facilities.

The project enables the capture of CO2 from industrial sources, its transport as liquid CO2 to the Øygarden terminal, and its subsequent storage beneath the seabed in the North Sea.

Commercial and Future Prospects

A binding agreement with Yara International has established the framework for the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage.

Phase 1 of the project, with a capacity to store up to 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually, is fully booked. Plans are underway to expand transport and storage capacity to meet future demands.