Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to a new liquefied CO2 carrier design. The vessel, developed by CSSC Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), features an 85,000 cubic meter capacity and is equipped with an LNG dual-fuel propulsion and power system. This design also includes a low-pressure cargo containment system specifically optimized for transporting liquefied CO2.
The containment configuration is engineered to minimize structural stress and simplify manufacturing processes. It also aims to mitigate operational risks such as dry ice formation, two-phase flow fluctuations, and pressure surges during cargo handling. The integration of low-carbon propulsion with these specialized cargo systems represents a step towards more sustainable shipping solutions for CO2 transport.
For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, the development of such specialized vessels indicates a growing infrastructure for carbon capture and storage (CCS) supply chains. While not directly impacting immediate freight rates or capacity for general cargo, it signals future opportunities and requirements for handling CO2 as a commodity. Forwarders involved in industrial projects or those with clients focused on decarbonization may need to consider the logistics of CO2 transport as this sector expands.
