World’s First CO2 Transport Ship Unveiled for Sustainable Solutions

The Northern Lights JV has received the first of four CO2 transport ships, the Northern Pioneer, from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC). This custom-designed vessel is specifically built to transport liquefied CO2 from capture sites in Europe to the Northern Lights receiving terminal. This marks a significant milestone for Northern Lights, as they are the first company to offer commercial CO2 transport and storage services. The CO2 receiving facility in Øygarden, Norway, was completed in September, further solidifying their position in the market.

Northern Lights is a Joint Venture between Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Shell, with construction of the facilities beginning in 2021 after the owners finalized their investment decision and received approval for the Longship project in the Norwegian parliament. The partnership, which started in 2017, aims to address the growing need for CO2 transport and storage solutions. The Northern Pioneer’s sister ship, the Northern Pathfinder, is currently being constructed at DSIC, with plans for two more vessels to follow suit.

The Northern Pioneer boasts impressive specifications, including a cargo size of 7,500 m3, a length of 130m, and a width of 21m. It is equipped to handle cargo transport conditions of up to 19 bar(g) pressure and a minimum temperature of -35°C. The vessel will be registered in Norway and managed by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE). Additionally, the ship features low-carbon technologies such as a wind-assisted rotor sail, shaft generator, and air lubrication, aligning with the industry’s focus on sustainable practices.

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