Japan’s large shipping lines and shipbuilders have started a joint study to establish standard specifications and designs for liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers.

The seven companies have agreed to conduct a joint study to establish standard specifications and designs for LCO2 carriers and to establish a construction supply chain.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K LINE), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., are the partners of the study.

In the future, they will also consider designing, developing, and building new fuel ships using decarbonization technologies like ammonia fuel.

“As the demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to grow in various CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) projects that transport CO2 collected in Japan to storage sites by sea, it is necessary to build and supply LCO2 carriers stably within Japan to realize the CCS value chain and improve economic efficiency,” reads the press release.

This study will focus on LCO2 carriers and aim to enable construction at other shipyards in Japan as well.

Additionally, they plan to collaborate widely with industry stakeholders, including other shipyards that share the same awareness of the issues.