World First: LCO₂ / Methanol Vessel gets Green Light
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) have acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for its jointly developed liquefied CO2 (LCO2) / methanol carrier. AiP acquisition for this type of carrier marks a world's first.
Technologies for converting CO2 into fuel or chemical products are attracting attention as a means of utilizing CO2 in CCUS (Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage). One such approach is the ongoing study toward realizing a supply chain for producing synthetic methanol from captured CO2. Synthetic methanol is expected to serve as one of the marine fuels that will contribute to decarbonization in the maritime shipping industry.
The vessel for which Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and MOL acquired AiP is based on a low-pressure LCO2 carrier. It aims to transport CO2, which serves as raw material, on outward voyages and synthetic methanol on return voyages. Use of dedicated vessels for CO2 or methanol results in empty-cargo operation on half of their trips. If dual transport of CO2 and methanol is achieved, empty-cargo trips can be eliminated, thereby improving overall transport efficiency.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and MOL will move forward with the development of the LCO2 / methanol carrier, building on the findings and technical challenges identified during the concept study. The goal is to achieve commercialization of the LCO2 / methanol carrier through collaboration with relevant companies in the supply chain and other partners.
MHI Group is currently pursuing strategic measures to strengthen its business for the energy transition. In conjunction with this initiative, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding is making efforts to contribute to the advancement of the maritime industries in Japan and around the world by utilizing its shipbuilding-based marine engineering technologies in addition to conventional shipbuilding. The development of LCO2 / methanol carrier is one example of these efforts. Collaboration with MOL also demonstrates MHI Group's commitment to partnerships. Moving forward, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will continue to build strategic global partnerships both to incorporate external expertise and actively advance the development of a CCUS value chain. Through these efforts, the company aims to provide its technologies, products and services to ever more customers.
The MOL Group is currently working to build supply chains for synthetic fuel/methanol and CO2 through initiatives such as its investment in HIF Global LLC, a U.S.-based company that develop, produce and transport synthetic fuel/methanol across North and South America and Australia.
