Top Page > Press Release 2022 > MOL Acquires AiP for Design of Large-scale Liquefied CO2 Carrier through Research and Development Project from NEDO

MOL Acquires AiP for Design of Large-scale Liquefied CO2 Carrier through Research and Development Project from NEDO

August 23, 2022

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that it acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) (Note 1) for design of a large-scale liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) carrier from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).

(CG rendering of large-scale CO2 carrier)
(AiP certificate)

In June 2021, MOL launched research and development (R&D) on the adoption of a large-scale liquefied CO2 carrier in response to a call for proposals by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to complete the conceptual design, under a project entrusted by NEDO to Japan CCS Co., Ltd. (JCCS: President: Toshiaki Nakajima; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). The vessel design is one element of NEDO's "CCUS R&D and Demonstration Related Project/Large-scale CCUS Demonstration Project in Tomakomai/Demonstration Project on CO2 Transportation."

The large-scale liquefied CO2 carrier is intended as a practical solution to the need for long-distance transport of CO2 on a scale of 1 million tons a year, based on NEDO's vision to implement CCUS technology.

"MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1" (Note 2) sets the following goal: "With concerted effort throughout the Group, achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050," and establishes five strategies to achieve that target. The company will further accelerate its initiative on liquefied CO2 transport through R&D in this demonstration project, contributing to the realization of a low- and de-carbonized society.

(Fig. Conceptual diagram of the demonstration project (source: NEDO))


[Outline of NEDO]

Company name: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
Established: 2003
Chairman: Hiroaki Ishizuka
Location: (Headquarters) Kawasaki City, Kanagawa
Business: Operations relating to technology development management (national projects and practical application promotion activities)


[Outline of JCCS]

Company name: Japan CCS Co., Ltd. (JCCS)
Established: 2008
Representative: Toshiaki Nakajima
Location: (Headquarters) Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Tomakomai CCS demonstration site) Tomakomai-shi, Hokkaido
Business: Research, R&D, feasibility research, demonstration test of CO2 separation/capture, use, transport, and underground storage technology

[MOL projects and press releases related to CCUS (incl. NEDO project)]

December 2020: MOL Participating in Australian offshore CO₂ Capture and Storage (CCS) Hub Project (deepC Store)

March 2021: MOL to Move into Ocean Shipping of Liquefied CO2 Ocean Transport Business through Investment in Norway's Larvik Shipping AS

May 2021: Klaipedos nafta, Larvik Shipping, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will carry out a feasibility study for liquefied CO2 and hydrogen project in Klaipeda, Lithuania

June 2021: MOL Joins International Think Tank and accelerate development for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

June 2021: MOL Starts Research and Development on Large-scale Liquefied CO2 Carrier - Part of NEDO Demonstration Project entrusted by Japan CCS -

June 2021: MOL Joined as one of the initial supporting members of the Asia CCUS Network

July 2021: "Ship Carbon Recycling Working Group" of Japan's Carbon Capture & Reuse Study Group has confirmed that carbon recycled methane can be recognized as zero emission ship fuel

November 2021: Completion of Concept Study of Liquefied CO2 Carrier

February 2022: MOL and PETRONAS Sign MoU on Liquefied CO2 Transportation for CCUS

March 2022: MOL Completes Concept Study of 'Ammonia/Liquefied CO2 Carrier'

(Note 1) Approval in Principle (AiP):
At the initial stage of design or before the specific target ship to be implemented is determined, the design is examined based on existing regulations such as international conventions and ship classification rules, and an AiP is issued as proof of conformity with requirements.

(Note 2) MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1
https://www.mol.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/vision/index.html

[MOL Group 5 Sustainability Issues]
MOL Group will contribute to realizing a sustainable society by promoting responses to sustainability issues, which are identified as social issues that must be addressed as priorities through its business.
We anticipate this initiative to contribute especially to the realization of "Safety & Value-Provide added value through safe transportation and our social infrastructure business-" ,"Environment -Conservation for Marine and global environment-" and "Innovation -Innovation for development in marine technology-".