Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and NYK’s affiliate Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS (KNCC) are conducting a joint constructability study of a 40,000 cbm terminal-to-terminal liquefied CO₂ (LCO₂) vessel based on KNCC’s proprietary technology of LCO₂-Elevated Pressure (LCO₂-EP) Cargo Tanks together with Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY), which is a joint venture for ship design and sales between Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Japan Marine United Corporation.

CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) is a technology to capture CO₂ at the source — such as power plants, chemical plants, and the like — by separating CO₂ from other gases, compressing the CO₂ for transportation, and then injecting the CO₂ deep into underground or undersea rock formations at a carefully selected and safe site, where the CO₂ is permanently stored. CCS technology is attracting attention as a way to achieve a carbon-neutral society. This initiative aims to contribute to the establishment of a CCS value chain and to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Tsutomu Yokoyama, Executive Officer, NYK
“This joint study with NSY will be another key milestone for us as it will provide the capability through KNCC to offer LCO₂-EP marine transportation service in addition to MP and LP. We will continue to study the establishment of a system for the construction of LCO₂-EP vessels to support the development of CCS projects globally.”

Oliver Hagen-Smith, CEO, KNCC
“We are pleased to announce a joint study with NSY on constructability of LCO₂-EP terminal-to-terminal vessels. The innovative design of the LCO₂-EP Cargo Tanks features vertical cylinders that can be mass-produced through automated processes using standard materials. This may optimize and reduce the construction time. The modular design potentially allows more shipyards to participate, utilizing existing facilities and infrastructure, which broadens industry engagement and enhances efficiency. We are confident that this study will bring significant benefits in cost-effectiveness, quality, and scalability to the maritime construction sector.”

Tomoaki Takahira, Director, Chief of Design Division, NSY
“While CCS is still in its developmental stage in terms of technology and market structure, the joint study of the LCO₂-EP terminal-to-terminal vessel with KNCC and NYK is an important step for us to bring one of the viable options to the market.
In addition to medium-pressure and low-pressure vessels, we will continue to study the construction of LCO₂-EP vessels to contribute to the establishment of the CCS value chain.”

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
Head office: Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Takaya Soga, President
Website: https://www.nyk.com/english/

Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS
Head Office: Haugesund, Norway
Representative: Oliver Hagen-Smith, CEO
Website: https://www.kn-cc.com/