MOL and Petronas develop liquified CO2 shipping

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Petronas have showcased the results of their joint efforts aimed at shipping and storing liquified carbon dioxide (CO2).

The duo, in collaboration with Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), has developed and secured approval in principle for liquefied CO2 carriers and a floating storage and offloading (FSO) unit.

Presented at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre this week, a 14,000 cu m short-haul unit and a larger 87,000 cu m vessel designed for long-haul voyages were classed by DNV. Meanwhile, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) gave its stamp of approval for a 96,000 cu m FSO concept developed for intermediate storage and offloading offshore, as well as for another 87,000 cu m carrier with an installed dynamic positioning system that is intended for long-haul transportation and offshore offloading.

The completion of concept studies follows a memorandum of understanding signed by MOL and Petronas in February last year to seek optimum means of ocean transport for liquified CO2 within the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions. MOL said that gaining class approvals clears the way toward a flexible approach to transport needs in consideration of volume, transport distance, and direct transport to FSOs near offshore storage facilities.