Shanghai claims first LCO2 ship-to-ship transfer

Shanghai Qiyao Environmental Technology Co. (SMDERI-QET) is claiming a world first liquid CO2 ship-to-ship transfer involving an Evergreen vessel at Shanghai Yangshan port.

The milestone was recorded with partners Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Shanghai International Port, and Zhoushan Dejin Shipping Co. The gas was transferred to a specialist barge, De Jin.

“The breakthrough addresses a key industry challenge: flexible LCO2 offloading without port infrastructure dependency,” according to a company statement. “Shore-based solutions face limitations in port compatibility and vessel draft requirements.”

Its proprietary OCCS technology achieves more than 80% capture rate at 99.9% purity, the company claims.

The pilot project provides vital data for standardising maritime carbon handling – not to mention revenue opportunities. Chinese officials estimate ships could earn as much as $8bn annually.

The transferred LCO2 will undergo permanent sequestration or utilisation.

Last month, The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a maritime classification society, awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) to a new LCO2 barge.

A first-of-its-kind tug and barge unit (ATB), the design is based on medium-pressure LCO2 Type-C tanks and can transport 20,000 tonnes of CO2.

The Northern Pioneer – billed as the world’s first commercial liquefied CO2 transport ship – arrived in Norway to serve the Northern Lights project in February.