Höegh Evi and Aker BP have been awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV for a next-generation liquefied CO₂ (LCO₂) carrier. The vessel, developed in Norway by Höegh Evi, Aker BP and Moss Maritime, is designed to transport captured CO₂ safely and cost-efficiently from European industrial emitters to offshore sequestration sites on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
DNV’s Approval in Principle includes a comprehensive assessment of the vessel’s design, including its onboard CO₂ conditioning module. It is the first to be reviewed under DNV’s new CO2 RECOND class notation, developed specifically for CO₂ handling and conditioning.
The approval marks a significant step in enabling the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) value chain and industrial decarbonization in Europe.
“This designation from DNV affirms the strength of our technical solution, which is key to realizing Höegh Evi and Aker BP’s unique CCS offering,” said Nils Jakob Hasle, EVP Clean Energy at Höegh Evi. “Together, we can deliver a cost-efficient path to decarbonization, by connecting large-scale carbon emitters to permanent storage offshore.”
“We are excited to leverage Aker BP’s extensive upstream expertise to mature and develop CO₂ storage solutions on the Norwegian Continental Shelf,” said Ørjan Jentoft, Asset Manager for CCS at Aker BP. “We appreciate the integrated and collaborative efforts with Höegh Evi in the development of the CCS value chain. This innovative design with designation from DNV is expected to set new benchmarks in safe, cost-efficient, and sustainable large-scale CO₂ transportation and storage.”
“DNV is pleased to collaborate with such a strong consortium of partners to help bring this large-scale CCS project closer to realization,” said Christina Saenz de Santa Maria, COO at DNV Maritime. “This AIP demonstrates how maritime regulations with DNVs new class rules can support the development of safe and cost-efficient solutions for CO2 transportation and offshore injection – an essential step toward building cost-effective CCS value chains.”
Part of an integrated solution for CO₂ transport and storage
The next-generation liquefied CO₂ (LCO₂) carrier is a key part of a fully integrated carbon removal option for both large and dispersed EU emitters. By integrating CO₂ conditioning and offloading capabilities directly into the shuttle carriers, the design minimizes complexity, reduces risk of impurity co-mingling and ensures reliable injection into offshore reservoirs. Two approved variants of CO₂ vessels will offer total capacities of up to 50,000 m³ of liquid CO₂.
Höegh Evi and Aker BP’s CCS solution can be applied for the Aker BP-operated CO₂ storage licenses on the NCS, EXL 005 Poseidon and EXL 011 Atlas. While initially sized to handle up to 10 million tonnes of CO₂ per annum, it may be scaled to accommodate growing market demand.
