The producers of carbon capture and storage technology who participated in an online meeting organized by Njord, a consultancy and technical solutions company in the shipping industry highlighted the shipowners' willingness, the infrastructure support at an international level and the recognition by the IMO as the key conditions for accelerating the uptake of CCS systems by shipping, to reduce emissions from ships. The panel placed particular emphasis on the installation of CCS systems on ships, but also on the wider supply chain and downstream stages.
“CCS has similarities with the introduction of electric cars. Initially, those who wanted to buy cars did not do so because there were no charging stations and correspondingly the power producers did not proceed with the creation of stations, due to the lack of cars". This was emphasized by Sören Scheid, Ecochlor's Regional Business Development Manager, adding that at the shipping level, we are very close to overcoming these infrastructure and ship barriers.
Installing carbon capture and storage systems is the cheapest solution – especially for existing ships, which will not, for example, be retrofitted for dual-fuel engines – to achieve the "green" targets, noted Alisha Fredriksson, plus -founder and CEO of Seabound. Of course, she added, shipowners need to "get their hands dirty" in the technology immediately. "Those who invest in technology today will be ready in the future," he said.
Indicative projects with a Greek contribution
However, there are not a few shipowners who take the step in this direction. Yvette van der Sommen, Global Commercial Director of Value Maritime stated that her company has proceeded to integrate 21 CCS systems on ships . The CO2 captured is injected into greenhouses in Rotterdam. In fact, the company is implementing a collaboration for the construction of two large amine storage tanks in the Dutch port to receive and utilize the captured CO2 and is now focusing with the help of the shareholder Shell on the creation of a global technology logistics support network. The sequestration of CO2 in Value Maritime's projects is on average between 20-40%, while theoretically it has the potential to exceed 90%.
Ecochlor will also commission a bulk carrier with CCS in January, while a second Greek-owned ship of the same class will receive the system in December 2024. Theoretically, CO2 sequestration can reach 90-95%, but at present projects amounts to approximately 25-30%. "There is a good balance between the weight of the fuel burned and the weight of the captured CO2, and there is no load loss during the journey," explained Mr. Scheid.
Finally, Seabound completes the first trial project of CCS integration in a containership of Lomar Shipping, owned by Giorgos Logothetis, with funding from the British government. In this project, 78% of CO2 can be sequestered, while the company is also planning a larger system with theoretical sequestration results of up to 95%.
The needs at sea
One of the questions surrounding CCS systems being installed on ships is what is required in terms of capacity, but also energy. Mr. Scheid pointed out that the total additional power demand for the technology, including liquefaction, is around 4.5-6% of fuel consumption. "It's manageable," he stressed, adding that a capesize bulker, for example, needs 750 cubic meters of storage capacity for CO2 on a 15-day voyage.
Ms Fredriksson noted that on a capesize carrying iron ore from Australia to China on a 10-day voyage, to sequester 50% of the carbon, 0.5% of cargo capacity is needed to store CO2 on board. "It's certainly possible, but the shipowner has to be incentivized to release that capacity," he said.
Ms. Sommen highlighted that in their own project, a ship of similar specifications with a handysize bulker aiming for 40% engagement on a 10-day Atlantic voyage burning 20-25 tons per day required a 770 cubic meter tank.
At the same time, as said, if the ship already has scrubber systems installed, it is easier to finance the integration of CCS technology on board, because this way there is a direct financial benefit from the lower fuel prices.
The regulatory framework
It is noted that the European Union has focused through the NetZero Industry Act on the promotion of CCS technology. At the same time, COP 28 signaled the acceleration of low- and zero-emission technologies, including carbon capture, storage and utilization in hard-to-abate sectors.
Although the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has not yet recognized the technology, it is only a matter of time, as the speakers pointed out. The proposals have been on the discussion table of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) for some months, but have been delayed due to the weight given by the Agency to the revised strategy and new milestones for reducing emissions. Now, and while this has been determined, the momentum is there to promote carbon sequestration as well, they pointed out.
source: naftemporiki.gr (g.georgiou)
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