Deltamarin and Ecolog unveil new LCO2 design
Illustration of the LCO2 tanker design
(Source: Deltamarin)
China Merchants Group subsidiary, Deltamarin, and Dubai-based Ecolog, a supply chain specialist, have launched a liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) tanker design, targeting a new gas trade that is expected to underpin elements of the energy transition.
With a short range, low pressure and shallow draft, the new design is aimed at trades within the European Union, the partners said. The technical specification, developed by the Turku-based ship design firm, follows detailed study of likely LCO2 supply chains.
Different containment and handling systems were assessed, taking into account the wide variety of possible carbon dioxide compositions. The ship design will have dual-fuel LNG propulsion, a shore power capability, and wind assistance.
Ecolog plans to build its own fleet of LCO2 carriers to operate in the emerging carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) sector. The company aims to link hard-to-abate industrial emitters with cost-competitive storage sites and re-use facilities, using its own ships and terminals.
The first LCO2 carriers are currently being built in Asia. Northern Lights, a joint venture between Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, have two LCO2 carriers under construction at Dalian Shipyard in China, the first of which was launched in April.
Meanwhile, Marinakis-controlled Capital Maritime and Trading Corp of Greece signed a contract for the world’s largest LCO2 carriers so far at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in July 2023. The 22,000m3 gas carriers are costing USD 70.8 million each and are due for delivery in 2025-26.
