On November 29, 2024, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), successfully delivered the NORTHERN PIONEER, the world's first commercial 7,500-cubic-meter liquid CO2 carrier. Built for Norway’s Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, this vessel is the first of its kind designed specifically for transporting and storing liquid CO2 at sea. Its delivery marks a milestone in global carbon reduction and climate change mitigation efforts.

Technical Innovations of the NORTHERN PIONEER
The vessel measures approximately 130 meters in length and 21.2 meters in width, with a maximum capacity of 7,500 cubic meters of liquefied CO2. Powered by an LNG dual-fuel system (liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil), it meets the world’s most stringent energy efficiency standards while achieving cutting-edge performance in fuel consumption and emissions control.

Key green technologies include:
Rotor sails and air lubrication systems for enhanced energy efficiency.
Exhaust gas monitoring and shaft generators to reduce emissions.
Specially designed C-type pressurized cargo tanks that can withstand up to 19 barg and temperatures as low as -35°C, ensuring safe and reliable CO2 transport.

The vessel also incorporates innovative cargo systems, material testing breakthroughs, and energy-saving devices, overcoming significant design and construction challenges and cementing China’s leadership in the global liquid CO2 carrier market.

A Key Role in the Global CCS Initiative
The NORTHERN PIONEER will serve the Northern Lights project, the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage initiative. This project captures industrial CO2 emissions from Europe, liquefies them, and transports them to a terminal on Norway’s west coast, where the CO2 is permanently stored 2,600 meters below the seabed.
Led by Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies, Northern Lights is a landmark large-scale commercial CCS project, set to become a cornerstone of global carbon management. As a critical transport tool for this initiative, the NORTHERN PIONEER will support Europe’s and the world’s decarbonization goals, driving collective action against climate change.

With this milestone, China further solidifies its leadership in the green and low-carbon shipbuilding sector, contributing to a sustainable future for global shipping.

by Xinde Marine News Pang Kai

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.