Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has been contracted to explore the feasibility of using ships to transport liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of a larger carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. The study is commissioned by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), in collaboration with major companies like West Japan Carbon dioxide Storage Survey, ENEOS, J-Power, and JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration.
This project is aimed at supporting Japan’s ambitious carbon neutrality goal by 2050, specifically through large-scale CCS operations off the western coast of Kyushu. The CCS project will store up to 1.7 million tons of CO2 per year in marine saline aquifers, a vital step in the country’s push for carbon reduction. MOL’s role in this initiative focuses on investigating the practicality of transporting liquefied CO2 by sea, assessing potential risks, and determining the cost of marine transport.
In recent years, Japan has ramped up efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), along with JOGMEC, has placed significant emphasis on CCS as a means to curb industrial emissions. By 2030, Japan hopes to have an operational CCS infrastructure, making projects like this a crucial building block for the country’s carbon reduction strategies.
Last fiscal year, MOL completed an initial study looking into marine transport options, pinpointing the challenges posed by low-temperature and low-pressure transportation of CO2. Now, MOL is moving forward with further research in fiscal year 2024. The focus this time will be on designing vessels capable of transporting liquefied CO2 while continuing to identify any major risks.
The CCS project aligns closely with MOL’s broader vision of environmental sustainability, outlined in its “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan and its “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.” As MOL seeks to diversify beyond traditional shipping, it is positioning itself at the forefront of low-carbon and decarbonized industries. This initiative showcases MOL’s commitment to leveraging innovative technology to meet the world’s evolving environmental needs while contributing to a more sustainable future.
