Signing of the newbuilding contract for Bernhard Schulte’s first CO2 ship; left: Mrs. Dongqing , Representative of Bernhard Schulte; right: Mr. Yingzhi Sun, President of DSOC
Bernhard Schulte, a key player in the maritime industry, is making waves with a move, into the eco-friendly sector by ordering its inaugural CO2 tanker. The announcement, made today, reveals that the vessel will be constructed at Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore (DSOC) and is expected to incorporate innovative technologies that substantially reduce its carbon footprint. Set for delivery in 2026, this vessel signifies Bernhard Schulte’s commitment to sustainable shipping practices.
Green Innovation at Its Core
The newly ordered vessel is a significant milestone for Bernhard Schulte marking its foray into the innovative future tanker segment. Ian Beveridge, CEO of Bernhard Schulte, expresses enthusiasm, stating,“Ordering this vessel is an exciting step in the expansion of Bernhard Schulte’s fleet portfolio in an innovative future tanker segment. We are looking forward to becoming part of Northern Lights industry leading project to provide CO2 transport and storage infrastructure. We are furthermore delighted to have Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore as our selected partner in this endeavour. The Schulte Group has long-standing relationships with Chinese shipyards, which is a strong foundation for this outstanding project,”.
Two of the four sister vessels are already under construction at Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore
Collaborative Ventures for a Greener Tomorrow
The collaboration between Bernhard Schulte, Northern Light in a joint venture owned by Shell, TotalEnergies, and Equinor, has already ordered three vessels, establishing itself as a pioneer in carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions. Børre Jacobsen, Managing Director of Northern Lights, emphasizes the significance of strong partnerships in the Liquid CO2 business, crucial for meeting climate targets, saying.“This deal marks another major milestone for us. CCS is a safe and efficient way to handle emissions and it is critical to meet climate targets. We are excited to see Bernhard Schulte now entering the Liquid CO2 business, as strong partnerships are required to succeed. We have strong belief in the tripart collaboration between Northern Lights JV, DSOC and Bernhard Schulte,”
The Technological Edge
The newbuilding shares its design with three other sister vessels ordered by Northern Lights, all boasting a cargo capacity of 7,500 m3. Tailored for transporting liquefied CO2, these ships will navigate from Northwest Europe to the CO2 receiving terminal at Øygarden, Norway, facilitating permanent geological storage. The ships incorporate cutting-edge technologies to minimize their environmental impact, including LNG Dual Fuel, wind-assisted rotor sail, and air lubrication, collectively achieving a remarkable 34% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional ships.
Yingzhi Sun, President of DSOC, affirms the shipyard’s confidence in delivering the vessel on time with the highest quality and health, safety, and environment (HSE) standards. DSOC, as the most experienced offshore yard in China, is honored to contribute its liquefied CO2 transportation solutions to this pioneering collaboration.
Vessel Specifications
- Capacity: 7,500 m3 liquid CO2
- Cargo Tanks: Two cylindrical cargo tanks
- Length: 130 meters
- Transport Conditions: Maximum 19 bar(g) pressure and minimum -35°C temperature
- Environmental Impact: 34% lower carbon footprint than ships on conventional fuel
- Propulsion: LNG Dual Fuel, wind-assisted rotor sail, and air lubrication
