The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has given its initial approval to a proposal recognizing carbon mineralisation as a permanent storage solution for carbon dioxide captured on board vessels. This development is significant as it could pave the way for wider adoption of onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) systems in the shipping industry.
This endorsement from the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) provides a crucial regulatory framework for OCCS technologies that utilize mineralisation. Such systems aim to capture CO2 emissions directly from ship exhausts and convert them into stable, solid mineral carbonates, preventing their release into the atmosphere.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this support for carbon mineralisation could lead to more diverse and effective decarbonization options for their ocean freight. As OCCS technology matures and becomes commercially viable, it may contribute to the availability of more environmentally compliant vessels, potentially influencing future vessel selection and green shipping initiatives. The long-term impact could include reduced carbon levies or improved access to 'green' trade lanes, although initial costs for adopting such technologies might be passed through in freight rates. This regulatory clarity is a positive step towards enabling new technologies to meet increasingly stringent environmental targets.
While the proposal has received in-principle support, further work will be required to develop detailed guidelines and standards for the implementation and verification of carbon mineralisation systems on ships.
