In most decarbonization scenarios, carbon capture and storage  is an essential part of the pathway to net-zero emissions. To meet the Paris and Glasgow Agreement goals, would require the removal of 6–7 gigatonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year from 2050 onwards. A large proportion of this will need to be transported by ship, making CO2 transport a key part of the value chain of the emerging industry.

“CCS is one of the key solutions for the world to reach its climate goals and KNCC has been established to play an essential role in the CCS value chain,” said Svein Steimler, Chair of KNCC. “Obtaining the GASA from DNV is a huge milestone and step forward for KNCC now being able to provide technically and commercially viable LCO2 marine transportation according to significant demand on a global basis.”

“The LCO2-EP containment system is not new technology but based on the development of Pressurized Natural Gas (“PNG”) technology and gas pipeline designs which is already proven,” said Trygve Seglem, Owner and President of the Knutsen Group and Vice Chair of KNCC. “Transporting LCO2 in ambient mode will offer cheaper and less energy consuming solutions through the entire CCS value chain from capture to final storage. It also has great synergy for direct injection offshore from the LCO2 carriers as CO2 injection must be done at high pressure and supercritical phase of CO2.”

“I am pleased KNCC has been making significant progress ever since its establishments in 2022 and appreciate the cooperation from all partners including DNV to achieve GASA,” Anders Lepsøe, CEO of KNCC. “Now with GASA in place we are opening up a new era of LCO2 designs which significantly strengthen the competitiveness of our offering of CO2 transportation. LCO2-EP containment system is one option but with support from both shareholders, NYKLine and Knusten Group we are also capable of offering middle pressure and low-pressure transportation service.”

“Enabling the transport of CO2 at the scale needed to achieve ambitious climate goals requires action today and long-term cooperation for the future,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime at DNV. “We are very pleased to award the GASA to KNCC today, another step in the realization of this ambitious but vital project. This GASA is the result of the combined expertise of all the partners, and shows how with knowledge, experience and adaptability we can tackle the technical challenges and make a real difference to maritime decarbonization efforts.”

The LCO2-Eelevated Pressure “LCO2-EP” (formerly called PCO2) tank concept is based on a cylinder type CO2 containment system applying principles used in compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation. The CO2 is stored at ambient temperatures (0 to 10°C) in bundles of vertically stacked small-diameter pressure cylinders, rather than large cylindrical tanks at low temperatures. The use of small diameter cylinders can mitigate the risk of pressure variations within the tubes, avoid dry-ice formation, and eliminate the sloshing effects of liquid CO2 in part or fully loaded condition.

The award of the GASA statement represents the next step along from the Approval in Principle (AIP) awarded to KNCC last year.