SIMIC

SHIPPING captured carbon dioxide (CO2) as ocean-going cargo will become a reality as emitters need to move it to offshore storage, reports the American Journal of Transportation.

This will involve a fleet of 55 carriers required by 2030, according to Rystad Energy, a Norwegian energy research house.



"Based on planned carbon capture projects, we predict that more than 90 million tonnes per annum of CO2 will be shipped by the end of the decade, volumes requiring 48 terminals to handle the import and export of the gas," said the Rystad Energy statement.



"As the global carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) market expands, a significant hurdle in the value chain is the lack of available transportation and storage networks for projects.



"Onshore pipelines are the most common mode currently, with 330 expected to be operational by 2030. These pipelines are ideal for transporting large quantities of CO2 to onshore storage sites or coastal terminals. Offshore pipelines are larger, transport captured carbon to underwater storage sites and are expected to play a vital role in the supply chain in the coming years. CO2 shipping is the third piece of the puzzle and the most flexible solution for carrying carbon emissions over long distances at a relatively low cost," the statement continued.