ABS join forces with ECOLOG, Hanwah Ocean, and Babcock International Liquid Gas Equipment to design a LCO2 Carrier

ABS, a classification society, has teamed up for a groundbreaking initiative aimed at designing a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier with a 40,000 cbm capacity. This endeavor is a joint industry project (JIP) and brings together Ecolog Services Ltd. (ECOLOG), Hanwha Ocean Co. (Hanwha), and Babcock International Liquid Gas Equipment (LGE).

The collaborative effort's primary objective is to design a vessel that optimally integrates energy, minimizes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and exhibits versatility in cargo handling. Additionally, the vessel will possess the capability for offshore offloading, which implies it will be capable of directly injecting liquid CO2, as highlighted by ABS.

Panos Koutsourakis, who holds the position of Vice President of Global Sustainability at ABS, underscored the significance of LCO2 transportation, describing it as a pivotal element within the carbon value chain. He acknowledged the novelty of the requirements, which demands the conceptualization and creation of a new vessel category. Expressing ABS's commitment to the project, Koutsourakis emphasized the organization's eagerness to offer its profound industry knowledge to assist leading stakeholders in crafting such an essential new asset tailored for ECOLOG.

ECOLOG is identified as a mid-stream service provider specializing in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Their portfolio includes the construction, ownership, and operation of ships and terminals, which serve as pivotal connectors linking emission sources to permanent storage or re-utilization sites.

Dr. Panos Deligiannis, ECOLOG's Head of Shipping, portrayed the JIP as a convergence of experts from diverse domains. They come together with a shared aspiration: to deepen the understanding of CO2 transportation and bolster the CCUS market with sophisticated design and operational norms.

Hanwha Ocean is slated to spearhead the process of crafting the best ship design for large-scale LCO2 carriers within the framework of the JIP. Sang-Don Kang, who leads the Basic Design Department at Hanwha Ocean, pledged the organization's commitment to preserving its distinct edge in both technology and quality, especially in the liquefied gas carrier sector, which encompasses both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

According to the article by Procurement Resource, ABS has partnered with ECOLOG, Hanwha Ocean, and Babcock International Liquid Gas Equipment for a joint industry project aiming to design a 40,000 cbm liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier. This vessel is set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy integration, and showcase versatility in cargo handling, including offshore offloading capabilities.

Panos Koutsourakis of ABS highlighted the vessel's novelty and the importance of LCO2 transport in the carbon value chain. ECOLOG specializes in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), with Dr. Panos Deligiannis emphasizing the collaboration's potential to refine CO2 transportation. Meanwhile, Hanwha Ocean will lead in designing the large-scale LCO2 carrier, maintaining their expertise in the liquefied gas sector.