Approval in Principle (AiP) Acquired from Two Classification Societies for Low-Pressure Type Liquefied CO2 Carriers undergoing Pursuit of Standardization toward Realization of Large-Scale International Transportation from 2028 onwards

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group; Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE); Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL); Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., a joint venture for ship design and sales between Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Japan Marine United Corporation; Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line); Mitsui & Co., Ltd.; and Mitsubishi Corporation have jointly acquired Approval in Principle (AiP)(Note1) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for two types of low-pressure type liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers under their joint development. A presentation ceremony took place on September 17 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the venue of Gastech 2024, a major international conference on global energy and environmental issues, including natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and hydrogen, held in Houston, Texas.

From left:
Mr. Takuya Shirai, Managing Officer, Chief Operating Officer of Mobility Business Unit II, Mitsui & Co.
Mr. Satoshi Kanamori, Managing Executive Officer, “K” LINE
Mr. Hisashi Umemura, Senior Managing Executive Officer, MOL
Mr. Shin Ueda, President & CEO, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding
Mr. Kiyoshi Higaki, President, Nihon Shipyard
Mr. Hayato Suga, Senior Executive Vice President, ClassNK
Mr. Tsutomu Yokoyama, Executive Officer, NYK Line
Mr. Mikito Nakaniwa, Division COO, Infrastructure, Ship & Aerospace Div, Mitsubishi Corporation

Demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to grow in tandem with various CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) projects involving the transportation of CO2 captured in Japan to storage sites located oversea. Recently, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Nihon Shipyard, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corporation have collaborated to achieve standardization of LCO2 carriers suited for use by multiple projects, and to establish a supply chain in order to build and supply LCO2 carriers consistently within Japan, which would contribute towards the realization and improvement of economic efficiency of CCS value chains. These initiatives have led to the acquisitions of two AiPs in collaboration with three major Japanese shipping companies: “K” LINE, MOL and NYK Line.

Seventh from the left:
Mr. Patrick J. Ryan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, ABS

The two LCO2 carriers that received AiP certifications are low-pressure type 50,000m³-class and 23,000m³-class vessels developed for long-distance ocean voyages. The AiP certifications assume the use of appropriate cargo tank material as a replacement for the nickel steel previously considered. Additionally, post welding heat treatment (PWHT)(Note3), one of critical issues in establishing the cargo tank manufacturing, may be omitted by the Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA)(Note4) approach is included.
MHI Group is pursuing strategic measures to strengthen its business for the energy transition. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, for its role in this initiative, efforts to contribute to the advance of the maritime industry in Japan and around the world by utilizing its shipbuilding-based marine engineering technologies in addition to conventional shipbuilding. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will actively promote the development of LCO2 carriers and establishment of CCS value chain through collaboration with various domestic/overseas companies.
Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries