Ports unprepared for onboard carbon capture handling - GCMD

A study conducted by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), in partnership with Lloyd’s Register and the UK-based environmental consultancy Arup, has unveiled a range of challenges in the handling and offloading of captured CO2 in ports.

PHOTO: Getty Image

After examining more than 10 liquefied CO2 (LCO2) projects worldwide, the consortium has identified some bottlenecks in large-scale adoption of onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology in ports.

Infrastructure Challenges: One of the primary challenges identified in the study is the limited infrastructure at ports to handle LCO2 efficiently and safely. Existing port facilities are mainly designed to handle food-grade CO2, which differs significantly from CO2 captured from ship emissions. This means ports need more investments and upgrades to smoothly use carbon-capture technologies.

Operational Readiness: Ensuring operational readiness for handling captured CO2 is crucial. This includes having trained personnel, specialised equipment, and effective protocols in place to safely unload and store CO2.

Safety Concerns: The study highlights risks associated with handling LCO2 such as asphyxiation and toxicity in case of leaks or spills and recommends implementation of robust safety measures and emergency response procedures while handling in ports.

Furthermore, the study calls for "the creation of regulatory and operational guidelines" surrounding offloading and storage of CO2 captured from shipping emissions, Lloyd’s Register's chief executive Nick Brown said.

The report adds that combining captured CO2 from ships with bigger CO2 networks needs careful planning and cooperation among different groups involved. This blending is crucial to make the most out of captured CO2, either by using it or storing it effectively.

“While pilots have successfully demonstrated numerous capture technologies onboard ships, it is still uncertain how captured carbon on merchant ships can be safely offloaded, and what the rest of the value chain looks like,” GCMD's chief executive Lynn Loo said.

The publication of this report coincides with ongoing talks at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), providing insights and recommendations to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and environmental advocates on carbon capture techniques.

The study stresses the need for teamwork among stakeholders of the entire value chain to tackle challenges and make the most of carbon capture technology in cutting emissions from maritime activities. It suggests that storing CO2 in liquid form is "likely the most efficient and cost-effective option for onboard storage and transport."

It also offers four ideas for unloading CO2 from ships with onboard capture systems, like exchanging containers carrying captured CO2, ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfers.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online