Mitsui O.S.K. Lines  announced the completion of a concept study on an ammonia/liquefied CO₂ carrier to flexibly meet future demand for transport of liquefied CO₂ and ammonia transport with a vessel type that could become the mainstream in this transport field. MOL cooperated with the Mitsubishi Heavy IndustryGroup’s Mitsubishi Shipbuilding  on this research

The liquefied CO₂ carrier (LCO₂ carrier) can play a key role in efficiently transporting captured liquefied CO₂ to storage reservoirs or usage sites in the value chains of carbon dioxide capture utilization and storage (CCUS), which is drawing attention as a means of realizing a low- and decarbonized society.

In addition, there is growing interest in ammonia as a next-generation clean energy source that does not emit CO₂ during combustion. The movement to strategically use ammonia is increasing under the global trend toward decarbonization.

Like the LCO₂ carrier, for which a concept study was completed in November 2021, the cargo tank capacity of the “ammonia/liquefied CO₂ combined carrier,” is set at around 50,000m3 on the assumption of the future liquefied CO₂/ammonia market.

In the future, based on this ship type, MOL continually studies other various ship types with Japanese maritime clusters to flexibly meet customer needs based on the overall value chain.

MOL entered the liquefied CO₂ ocean transport business through investment in Larvik Shipping AS (LS; Headquarters: Norway), which has managed LCO₂ carriers for industrial customers in Europe for over 30 years. The company continues to study ways to realize the LCO₂ carrier to meet customer needs, while drawing upon its accumulated expertise in safe vessel operation and LS’s know-how and track record, to contribute to the worldwide growth of the liquefied CO₂ ocean transport business.

The “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1” (Note 1) sets a mid-to-long-term target, “With concerted effort throughout the Group, achieve net zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2050,” and establishing five initiatives to achieve that goal and contribute to society’s cumulative GHG emissions.