First steel cut for Northern Lights CO2 transport ships

Photo: Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co.

Northern Lights marks a new milestone as the world’s largest CO2 transport ships head into construction with the official steel cutting ceremony at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd on November 21, 2022. The two 7,500 m3 ships will be delivered in 2024.

Once operational, the ships will transport liquefied CO2 from industrial emitters to the Northern Lights receiving facilities in Øygarden, Norway. From here, the CO2 will be transported in a pipeline to a reservoir for permanent and safe storage at 2.600 m depth under the seabed.

“We are pleased to see the construction start for these first of its kind CO2 transport ships. The shipping solution enables flexibility and scalability as Northern Lights develops the world’s first open-source infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage”, says Børre Jacobsen, Managing Director of Northern Lights.

The ships are specifically designed to transport liquid CO2 in purpose-built cargo tanks. Using LNG as the primary fuel and innovative technologies such as wind assisted propulsion system and air lubrication, Northern Lights is developing a low-emission solution for CO2 transport.

After an extensive bidding process locally and globally, the shipbuilding contract was awarded to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (DSIC) in October 2021. DSIC is located in Dalian, Liaoning province, China and is one of the leading shipbuilding groups in China.

“This steel cutting milestone is a historic event for the shipping industry. These first of its kind ships will pave the way to set a new standard for CO2 shipping. DSIC are proud to deliver the ships in a safe, high-quality, and timely manner”, says Gai Yong, Project Manager of DSIC.

The ships are classed by DNV and will be registered in Norway and operated under Norwegian (NOR) flag.

Facts about the Northern Lights CO2 transport ships

• Cargo size: 7,500 m3
• Length: 130 m
• Width: 21 m
• Primary fuel: LNG

About Northern Lights

Northern Lights is developing an open and flexible infrastructure to transport CO2 from industrial emitters by ship to a receiving terminal in western Norway for intermediate storage, before being transported by pipeline for permanent storage in a geological reservoir 2,600 metres under the seabed. Northern Lights is on schedule to be ready to receive CO2 in 2024. The facilities are under construction and will enable Northern Lights to offer a safe and reliable shipping and storage service to industrial emitters from across Europe. With increased interest from industrial sectors in Europe, additional shipping and storage capacity will be developed as demand grows. Northern Lights JV DA is a registered, incorporated General Partnership with Shared Liability (DA) owned equally by Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies.

About Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd.

Dalian shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (DSIC) was established in 1898 with China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) as its controlling shareholder. DSIC is providing full life cycle services from development, design, construction, repair, conversion, and green recycling of all kinds of ships and vessels. They are involved in conventional shipbuilding, offshore engineering, ship repair/green recycling and heavy industries.