Shinkurushima Sanoyas gains landmark approval for CO₂ carrier

ClassNK approved the world's first liquefied CO₂ carrier design.

Shinkurushima Sanoyas Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. has received the world’s first Approval in Principle (AiP) from ship classification society ClassNK for a liquefied carbon dioxide (CO₂) carrier designed to connect with a Socket SPAR unit for CO₂ injection.

In a statement, the company said the carrier was developed under Japan’s Environmentally Friendly CCUS Demonstration Hub and Supply Chain Development Project, commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. It noted the AiP covers only the CO₂ carrier.

The Socket SPAR is a floating offshore structure at a CO₂ storage site with liquefied CO₂ transferred from the carrier to the SPAR and injected into a reservoir below the seabed. Gangways on the carrier allow workers to board the SPAR during operations.

Shinkurushima Sanoyas conducted research for Uyeno Transtech Ltd., a project consortium member.

Tests checked whether dry-ice formation could block valves and pipes and the results were used in the carrier design in consultation with ClassNK.

Cooling and re-liquefaction tests under low temperature and pressure confirmed that liquefied CO₂ can be safely stored over long periods.

The company said it will continue developing CO₂ transport technologies using its shipbuilding and gas tank expertise.