Berge Bulk Begins Pilot for Onboard Carbon Capture System on

Berge Bulk has initiated a pilot project to test an onboard carbon capture system aboard its Ultramax bulker, the Berge Yotei. This move comes as the maritime industry increasingly seeks innovative solutions to comply with emerging emissions regulations. The technology aims to extend the operational life of existing vessels while addressing the current uncertainty surrounding alternative fuels.

Innovative Technology for Emission Reduction

The carbon capture system being tested was developed by Value Maritime and is integrated with an exhaust gas cleaning system known as the Filtree System. This advanced technology is capable of capturing up to 15 tonnes of CO2 daily, potentially reducing emissions by 30% during operations. Unlike traditional scrubbers, the Filtree System effectively removes both sulfur oxides and CO2 from a vessel’s exhaust. The captured CO2 is absorbed into a reusable amine solution, which can be offloaded at port for regeneration or repurposed in various industrial applications, including greenhouse cultivation and beverage production.

Berge Neblina sets sail following the installation of Anemoi’s energy saving Rotor Sails

James Marshall, CEO of Berge Bulk, emphasized the importance of carbon capture in the company’s decarbonization strategy. “While we remain committed to optimizing fleet efficiency, installing decarbonization technology, and switching to new fuels, we must also capture carbon at the same time,” he stated. The Berge Yotei, which was delivered in 2020 and registered in the Isle of Man, serves as the testing ground for this innovative system, showcasing the company’s commitment to sustainability in maritime operations.

Collaboration and Future Prospects

Berge Bulk operates a fleet of over 100 vessels, with a total carrying capacity exceeding 15 million dwt. The company is actively contributing insights into the implementation, monitoring, and scaling of onboard carbon capture systems, even as regulatory frameworks like MARPOL and the EU ETS continue to evolve. To successfully deploy carbon capture technology at scale, Berge Bulk stresses the need for collaboration among governments, ports, technology providers, and regulators to develop the necessary infrastructure and commercial models.

Value Maritime, established in 2017, has been installing its carbon capture systems on large vessels since 2021. Recent installations include the Eastern Pacific’s chemical tanker Pacific Cobalt and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ tanker Nexus Victoria. Despite initial skepticism regarding the storage and offloading of CO2, interest in this technology is growing within the maritime sector, particularly as companies like Wärtsilä announce their own onboard carbon capture systems, heralding a new era in decarbonization for both existing and new vessels.