First European built offshore CO₂ Carrier to Be Christened
New CO₂ Carrier Set to Transform Climate Goals
A groundbreaking CO₂ carrier is currently under construction at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the Netherlands, marking a significant step in Greensand’s initiative to establish the European Union’s first full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain. This innovative vessel is designed to transport liquefied CO₂ from onshore capture sites to offshore storage facilities in the North Sea, contributing to ambitious climate targets. The project has garnered attention following a landmark agreement signed in November 2024, attended by notable dignitaries including HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
Innovative Vessel Design and Construction Progress
The new CO₂ carrier is a testament to the advanced capabilities of northern Dutch shipbuilding, with Wagenborg and Royal Niestern Sander leading the charge. This vessel is engineered to meet stringent safety and environmental standards, featuring specialized onboard cooling and pressure systems tailored for CO₂ transport. As construction progresses, the ship has successfully completed several key sections, including the hull. The next phases will involve retrofitting, commissioning, testing, and sea trials, ensuring the vessel is ready for its critical role in the CCS value chain.
Once operational, the carrier will regularly transport captured CO₂ from Port Esbjerg to the Nini West platform, where it will be injected into the Nini reservoir, located approximately 1,800 meters beneath the seabed. This geological formation has been thoroughly assessed and certified for safe and permanent CO₂ storage, having securely contained hydrocarbons for millions of years. Mads Gade, CEO of INEOS Energy Europe, emphasized the importance of this project in achieving both Danish and European climate goals, highlighting the potential for significant CO₂ storage in the Danish North Sea.
Greensand Project: Aiming for Climate Impact
The Greensand project is poised to initiate regular offshore CO₂ injection by late 2025 or early 2026, with an initial target of permanently storing 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. This capacity could scale up to 8 million tonnes per year by 2030, significantly contributing to climate change mitigation efforts across Europe. The recent Final Investment Decision (FID) made by INEOS and its partners, Harbour Energy and Nordsøfonden, has paved the way for investments exceeding 1 billion DKK in the CCS value chain, further enhancing storage capacity.
The dedicated CO₂ carrier is central to this ambitious plan, facilitating the safe and efficient transport of captured CO₂ from various locations across Europe to the designated storage site in Denmark. As construction continues and the project moves forward, the arrival of this vessel is expected to play a vital role in realizing the broader climate objectives of both Denmark and the European Union.
