Mitsui OSK Lines has unveiled its intention to revolutionize the shipping industry through the installation of a state-of-the-art carbon capture system on board one of its tankers.
The company has opted to outfit the 74,910-dwt Nexus Victoria, constructed in 2015, with this innovative technology, with the completion of the installation anticipated later this year.
The carbon capture system, produced by Dutch maritime cleantech firm Value Maritime, will incorporate a 15MW exhaust gas cleaning system designed to eliminate sulphur oxide emissions from the exhaust. Additionally, it will feature a carbon capture unit capable of capturing an impressive 10% of the vessel’s CO2 emissions.
This agreement signifies a significant milestone for Value Maritime, as it represents the largest vessel to date to be equipped with their carbon capture technology.
Laurens Visser, the commercial manager at Value Maritime, has expressed optimism about the project, stating, “Hopefully this is the first of many Japanese clients that we can support in achieving decarbonisation initiatives. Working with one of the world’s most reputable shipowners keeps us motivated. It challenges us to stay ahead and continue to provide the best and simplest emission-reducing solutions to the shipping industry.”
The innovative carbon capture system by Value Maritime operates by deploying an amine-based solution through the engine exhaust, effectively locking in carbon dioxide. The loaded solution is then stored until it can be safely discharged ashore.
The installation of the LR 1 tanker will also involve an amine tank, in addition to the Value Maritime scrubber systems. Once the amine tank becomes filled with saturated amine, it will need to be replaced with fresh solution in order to continue capturing additional CO2 emissions.
MOL and Value Maritime have outlined their plans to initially capture 10% of the vessel’s CO2 emissions, with the possibility of scaling up the system to achieve an impressive 30% reduction in the future.
According to industry sources, shipowners are increasingly expressing interest in adopting onboard carbon capture technology, particularly for newer vessels. However, concerns regarding the uncertainty of offloading and accounting for the captured CO2 emissions have been raised.
In response to these concerns, Value Maritime has established a secondary business named Value Carbon, aimed at addressing these challenges.
Christiaan Nijst, the founder and director of Value Group, elaborated on their approach, stating, “Offering clients end-to-end solutions is the only way we can reach industry decarbonisation goals. We focus specifically on locations where captured carbon is best handled, like bunkering ports, and always look for the most energy-efficient way to utilize the carbon at the lowest cost per tonne.”
In addition to their pioneering carbon capture technology, Value Group has also secured contracts for logistics chains to offload amine tanks from client vessels in the Netherlands, and established partnerships to supply carbon dioxide to the country’s agricultural industry for greenhouse gas use.
While these advancements are groundbreaking, regulators at the International Maritime Organization are still deliberating on how to account for CO2 captured using onboard technology, as this is not yet specified in existing emissions regulations such as the carbon intensity indicator or the energy efficiency existing ship index.
As Mitsui OSK Lines and Value Maritime forge ahead with their ambitious plans to reduce emissions and revolutionize the shipping industry, their collaboration serves as a testament to the importance of innovation in addressing environmental challenges.
