Northern Lights Expands CO2 Shipping Capacity
Northern Lights, a prominent player in carbon capture and storage, has announced a significant expansion of its CO2 shipping operations. The Oslo-based joint venture, co-owned by Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Shell, has awarded long-term charters for new liquid CO2 carriers to major shipping companies in Japan and Malaysia. This strategic move aims to enhance Northern Lights’ capacity to transport and store carbon dioxide, aligning with its commitment to sustainability and emissions reduction.
New Contracts and Vessel Details
The recent arrangement involves a long-term time charter for a 12,000 cubic meter liquid CO2 carrier, awarded to a consortium of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) and MISC. A second vessel of the same capacity is slated to be delivered to the same consortium by April 2026. Additionally, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has secured two long-term charters for another set of newbuild CO2 carriers. These additions will significantly increase Northern Lights’ shipping capacity from the initial 7,500 cubic meter vessels, allowing the project to transport and store over 5 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
To construct these vessels, Northern Lights has partnered with China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore (DSOC) and South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). The delivery of the new ships is anticipated between the second half of 2028 and the first half of 2029. Tim Heijn, managing director of Northern Lights, expressed enthusiasm about the fleet expansion, emphasizing its potential to optimize operations and enhance flexibility in meeting customer commitments.
This expansion follows the successful delivery of the initial three vessels—Northern Pioneer, Northern Pathfinder, and Northern Phoenix—by DSIC/DSOC since late 2024. All three vessels are managed by K Line and represent the first phase of Norway’s Longship CCS project. A fourth vessel, identical in capacity, will join the fleet in 2026.
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Commitment to Carbon Capture
Northern Lights has been actively injecting liquefied CO2 for permanent subsea storage since August 2025. The project has already established commercial agreements with several emitters, including prominent names like Yara, Ørsted, and Stockholm Exergi. This new fleet of vessels will play a crucial role in furthering the goals of the project, which aims to combat climate change through effective carbon management solutions.
The expansion of Northern Lights’ shipping capabilities not only reflects the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions but also underscores the importance of innovative logistics in achieving global emissions targets. With a focus on enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility, the joint venture is well-positioned to lead in the carbon capture and storage industry.
