Port connectivity and cargo transfer rates are pivotal factors in enhancing the efficiency of CO2 shipping, and the current state of port infrastructure presents significant hurdles that must be overcome to improve connectivity and support the seamless transfer of CO2 cargoes.
Bechtel general manager for energy transition George Whittaker, through the CO2 Shipping and Terminals Conference held 26-27 June in Houston TX USA (by Riviera), underscored the importance of addressing these challenges, drawing parallels with the LNG sector, "There is a lot the CO2 sector can learn from LNG, both at the strategic level and from a technical perspective," he noted, highlighting the need for standardised ship sizes and product conditions to facilitate smoother operations.
Safety and regulatory barriers also pose significant obstacles to the operational readiness of CO2 terminals.
Mr Whittaker stressed the necessity of harmonising regulations across borders to unlock more value chain opportunities. "Remove restrictions on international cross-border CO2 transport to open up more value chain opportunities," he urged.
Community acceptance is another critical aspect, with safety protocols needing rigorous implementation to ensure local populations are supportive of CO2 terminal operations. Engaging with communities and maintaining transparent communication about safety measures are vital steps in achieving this acceptance.
The conference also looked into the compatibility of various operational models for CO2 shipping, from pickup and drop-off to intermediary models.
TGE Marine Engineering sales director Jakob Nielsen presented a compelling case study on loading CO2 without vapour return. He explained without vapour return, the pressure within the tanks increases, which can complicate loading procedures.
"The issue is that when you are loading without vapour return, you need a way of removing the vapour and reducing the pressure," Mr Nielsen explained.
His insights highlighted the technical challenges and innovative solutions necessary to optimise loading rates and enhance overall efficiency.
Standardisation of the ship-shore interface and conditioning equipment was another key topic of discussion and ensuring interoperability between ships and terminals is crucial for the smooth transfer of CO2.
Both Mr Whittaker and Worley Consulting energy strategy lead Adam Cox stressed the need for standardisation.
Mr Cox noted, "The liquefaction energy requirement is so onerous that if you cannot provide that power through a low-carbon source, you are making the value chain look a little bit blurry."
Mr Cox characterised liquefaction as the "unwanted child of the value chain" reflecting the broader difficulties in managing CO2 transport logistics.
"Liquefaction remains the kind of unwanted child. In many respects on the value chain you are essentially absorbing all the risk from the emitters," Mr Cox explained.
These insights underline the need for innovative solutions and robust planning to address these gaps. The future of CO2 terminals depends heavily on overcoming these readiness gaps and having the elements in place.
As Mr Whittaker aptly put it, "We are ready to engineer and construct these types of elements, and in the near term, we are supporting our customers to make informed decisions about some of these early-stage project decisions that will set their place up for success.
source: Riviera news
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