Mitsubishi Shipbuilding moves ahead with ammonia/LCO2 carrier plans
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has completed a conceptual study for the design of an ammonia/liquefied CO2 carrier capable of transporting both ammonia and LCO2, MHI said on April 18.
The study was jointly conducted with shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines. The vessel model developed through this conceptual study is designed to carry ammonia on its outward journey, and LCO2 on the return trip. Specific carriers for each material normally run empty on their return voyage, so a ship able to handle both substances will increase operational efficiency, and contribute to enhanced transport efficiency overall, MHI said.
According to MHI, ammonia is a source of stable clean energy projected to be used widely in the future, and LCO2 carriers play an important role in the carbon dioxide capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) value chain. MHI estimates that the volume of CO2 reduction due to CCUS will amount to 4.3 to 13bn tons/year by 2050.