Japanese Shipping Giants and Shipyards Team Up for Development of CO2 Carrier Designs

“K” LINE, MOL, and NYK Line have teamed up with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United (JMU), and Nihon Shipyard to launch a joint study aimed at developing standard specifications and designs for liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carriers. This collaboration brings together leading players in the maritime and shipbuilding sectors to address the growing demand for LCO2 carriers, driven by various carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.

The study is set to establish uniform standards and designs for LCO2 carriers, which are crucial for transporting CO2 captured in Japan to storage sites via sea. The objective is to create a stable and efficient supply chain for these carriers within Japan, thereby enhancing the CCS value chain and improving economic efficiency. This initiative also aims to enable the construction of LCO2 carriers at various shipyards across Japan, not just the ones involved in the study.

In addition to focusing on LCO2 carriers, the seven companies plan to explore the development of new fuel ships utilizing decarbonization technologies, such as ammonia fuel. This effort aligns with their broader goal of advancing a decarbonized society. They intend to work collaboratively with other industry stakeholders and shipyards that are similarly committed to addressing the challenges of low-emission shipping.

The partnership signifies a significant step toward supporting Japan's CCS projects and contributes to the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. By standardizing the design and construction of LCO2 carriers, the involved companies aim to facilitate the growth of the CCS sector and support the transition to cleaner energy solutions.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE), founded on April 5, 1919. The company, led by President Yukikazu Myochin since April 1, 2019, operates across various sectors including marine, land, and air transportation, as well as harbor transportation. With a workforce of 909 non-consolidated employees (683 on land and 226 at sea) and 5,570 consolidated employees, “K” LINE has a significant presence both domestically and internationally. Its global network includes representative offices in Taipei, Manila, and Dubai, and agents in countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Australia, the UK, Germany, Belgium, France, the USA, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and South Africa. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and has 27 domestic and 253 overseas affiliated companies. 

“K” LINE offers a comprehensive range of services across various transportation and logistics sectors. Their portfolio includes Dry Bulk Carriers for transporting bulk commodities, Car Carriers designed for vehicle transport, and LNG Carriers for the delivery of liquefied natural gas. They are also actively engaged in the Carbon Solution Business, addressing carbon capture and storage needs. The company operates Tankers for liquid cargo, manages Fuel Strategy & Procurement, and is involved in Electricity and Offshore services. Additionally, “K” LINE provides Containership services for global shipping needs, Terminal Operations for efficient cargo handling, and Logistics solutions to streamline supply chains.