Wärtsilä launches carbon capture system following full-scale maritime installation
The installation on Clipper Eris shows Wärtsilä CCS might not be so sleek as envisioned in renderings (Source: Wärtsilä)
Wärtsilä has launched its new carbon capture system (CCS) to the global shipping market following the full-scale installation on the ethylene carrier Clipper Eris. The system, now commercially available, has been shown to cut vessel CO₂ emissions by up to 70%, offering shipowners a viable path to meet tightening environmental regulations and the IMO’s 2050 emissions targets.
The breakthrough follows extensive development since 2019 and a comprehensive trial on board Clipper Eris, operated by Solvang ASA. The system captures emissions from all exhaust sources and integrates with existing scrubbers. Operating in trials since February 2025, the installation marks the world’s first full-scale CCS on a commercial vessel.
Solvang has ensured its newbuilds are CCS-ready, with the necessary infrastructure and system compatibility. Solvang CEO Edvin Endresen recently told Ship Repair Newsletter that the integration of CCS with existing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) results in drastic improvements in the efficiency of the former.
Wärtsilä estimates carbon capture costs between EUR 50–70 per tonne of CO₂, and offers scalable CCS configurations for both newbuild and retrofit applications. The system is compatible with a range of fuels that contain carbon and can be deployed alongside NOx and SOx reduction technologies.
The Finnish group continues to operate a CO₂ capture test facility in Norway, supporting maritime decarbonisation through exhaust-based emission controls.
