The demand for LCO₂ carriers is projected to rise in the coming years, as they would help in carrying carbon from its emission sources to storage facilities or sites for utilisation.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group’s Mitsubishi Shipbuilding unit has collaborated with French company TotalEnergies to commence a feasibility study on the development of a liquefied CO₂ (LCO₂) carrier.

Through its strategic efforts for energy transition, MHI Group is working towards creating a decarbonized society.

For achieving decarbonization, the maritime industry has been focusing on carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

The demand for LCO₂ carriers is projected to rise in the coming years, as they would help in carrying carbon from its emission sources to storage facilities or sites for utilization.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Shipbuilding aims to commercialize LCO₂ carriers, with this project anticipated to contribute towards the establishment of a CO₂ ecosystem.

By integrating the knowledge of the two companies, MHI seeks to contribute to the construction of the CCUS value chain, which will cover both land and sea.

TotalEnergies CCUS vice-president Bruno Seilhan said: “We are pleased to partner with Mitsubishi, whose expertise in shipbuilding is well proven, in order to study large tonnage LCO₂ carrier opportunities.

“Such vessels will be key to accommodate the expected surge in transported CO₂ volumes for geological storage triggered by the acceleration in net-zero carbon targets worldwide and to meet world industrial emitters’ needs. It is fully aligned with our Climate Ambition to get to net-zero emissions by 2050.”