First Commercial LCO2 Transport Ship Arrives in Norway

The world’s first commercial liquefied CO2 transport ship, the Northern Pioneer, has recently arrived in Stavanger, Norway. The 130-meter-long vessel has the capacity to transport 8,000 tonnes of liquid CO2 and is set to begin operations in 2025. The ship received blessings from its godmother, Tina Bru, a Stavanger citizen and former Minister of Petroleum and Energy, who played a key role in the Longship project’s proposal to the Norwegian Parliament in 2019. Delivered in November 2024, the Northern Pioneer will play a vital role in safely transporting liquefied CO2 from industrial capture sites in Europe to the Northern Lights receiving terminal in Øygarden, Norway.

The Northern Lights joint venture, owned by Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Shell, is spearheading this groundbreaking initiative. The company has already secured two commercial agreements with Yara in the Netherlands and Ørsted in Denmark. The Northern Pioneer is the first of four sister ships specially designed for CO2 transport. It will be registered in Norway and managed by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE). Tim Heijn, Managing Director of Northern Lights JV, emphasized the significance of this milestone in establishing the world’s largest dedicated CO2 shipping fleet and supporting Europe’s decarbonization goals.

The arrival of the Northern Pioneer marks a significant step towards the development of a reliable value chain to facilitate Europe’s decarbonization efforts. This innovative vessel is part of a strategic plan to transport liquefied CO2 from industrial sites to the Northern Lights receiving terminal in Øygarden, Norway. With its godmother’s blessings and a strong backing from key industry players, the Northern Pioneer is poised to play a crucial role in advancing sustainable transportation solutions and contributing to a greener future.

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