China Classification Society projects rapid growth for onboard carbon capture
Onboard carbon capture has a long way to go in compactness, as this side by side of Solvang vessels shows (Source: Solvang)
China Classification Society (CCS) says onboard carbon capture technology will progress to meet goals of high efficiency, compactness, low energy consumption and low cost while ensuring safe adoption as innovation continues.
In April 2025, the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee approved the regulatory framework development plan for onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS), and CCS forecasts that, with ongoing breakthroughs, the technology could enter a phase of large-scale adoption by about 2030. CCS anticipates carbon capture will become one of the primary technologies for deep decarbonisation across the shipping industry.
Niu Song, from CCS’s Shanghai Rules & Research Institute, says traditional energy-saving measures such as high-efficiency propellers and low-resistance hull designs are nearing their emission reduction limits. He adds that new alternative fuels including methanol, ammonia and hydrogen face practical hurdles including inadequate infrastructure and high retrofitting costs.
“Against this backdrop, onboard carbon capture technology has emerged as an innovative solution to meet the industry’s rigorous demands,” he said.
CCS said that regulatory clarity from MEPC 83 will support safe trials and that shipowners, yards and equipment makers are increasingly engaging in technology development and testing ahead of wider market uptake.
