Lloyd's Register and Stena Bulk Innovate CO2 Offloading System to Combat Maritime Carbon Footprint

London, United Kingdom: Lloyd's Register has been hired to evaluate the development of a system that discharges liquefied CO₂ while taking on bunkers, marking the next step in its evolution. The possibility of capturing CO₂ on tankers is already a well-known and accessible technology. However, it requires considerable space and affects the capacity to carry cargo unless it can be effectively discharged. The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) is working on a solution that involves unloading liquefied CO₂ (LCO2) during concurrent cargo and/or bunkering operations.

Lloyd's Register (LR), in partnership with Arup, has been awarded a concept study by GCMD to address the safety and operational considerations surrounding offloading LCO2 that has been captured on board tankers, bulkers, and container liners. This study will outline the optimal temperatures and pressures required for the offloading process, as well as the receptacles used. The study's findings can also guide the offloading of CO2 as cargo in less-established storage and operating conditions. With this concept study, GCMD looks to bridge a gap in the LCO2 supply chain.

The ongoing Project REMARCCABLE, which is one of the largest demonstrations of shipboard CO₂ capture at scale, currently lacks guidelines for offloading captured CO₂. However, the study's findings will serve as a basis for conducting sea trials in Phase 3 of the project. The 500-hour pilot aims to showcase the potential to reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 30% or capture 1,300 kg per hour of CO₂ using a non-proprietary amine-based solution. Additionally, it will also demonstrate the ability to store 375 tonnes of LCO2 onboard and offload it after sailing for 10 days.

Stena Bulk is partnering with Lloyd's Register for a LCO2 offloading concept study that aims to advance industry knowledge on how to safely offload captured CO₂ from vessels. The study will inform sea trials planned for the Stena Impero as part of Project REMARCCABLE. Conducted for the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, this study will involve collaboration with stakeholders in the maritime sector to establish guidelines for offloading liquid Carbon Dioxide, which is crucial to promoting the safe use of Carbon capture technologies on board. The study will also assess the necessary infrastructure for offloading liquid Carbon Dioxide from ships, enabling informed decision-making on capital and operating expenditures.

A study on the decarbonisation of the maritime industry is set to begin in April 2023, with a projected completion time of nine months. Innovative solutions for infrastructure and port operations will be necessary to achieve this goal, and a consortium of Study Partners and Observers with expertise in maritime and energy has been assembled by GCMD to provide input throughout the project. The focus will be on developing safe, efficient, and integrated LCO2 offloading solutions that work cohesively with all port functions.