Northern Lights’ first CO2 transport ship ready for delivery
Northern Lights Unveils World's First CO2 Transport Ship, Northern Pioneer, Ready for Service
Northern Lights JV Announces New CO2 Transport Ship
Northern Lights JV recently revealed that the first of four CO2 transport ships, the Northern Pioneer is now ready for delivery. The ship was constructed at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC) in Dalian, China. This vessel is part of the largest dedicated CO2 shipping fleet in the world, marking a major step in the battle against climate change.
A New Era in CO2 Transport and Storage
Northern Lights is the first company to offer a service for transporting and storing CO2 from industries across Europe. This process is known as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Their CO2 receiving station, located in Øygarden, Norway, was completed in September and is now prepared to handle CO2 from various industries in Norway and Europe. This station will receive CO2 from ships like the Northern Pioneer and store it safely underground.
Why Shipping is Essential
Shipping is a key part of Northern Lights’ plan. The Northern Pioneer is custom-built to safely carry liquefied CO2 from European factories to the receiving terminal in Norway. This marks the first time a ship has been specifically designed for this task.
“This is a great moment for Northern Lights and the CCS industry,” said Tim Heijn. “The Northern Pioneer and the other ships will make it easy to move CO2 from many places in Europe to our storage site.”
More Ships on the Way
The Northern Pioneer is just the first in a fleet of four ships. The second ship, the Northern Pathfinder, is currently being built by DSIC. This shipyard, one of the largest in China, won the contract in 2021 after a global search. In addition, two more ships are being built by Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., Ltd (DSOC).
“We are proud to be creating the world’s first commercial ship for CO2 transport,” said Lin Jiming, Vice President of DSIC. “This delivery puts DSIC at the front of CO2 transport solutions. We are excited to work with Northern Lights to achieve their CCS goals.”
Managed by Experts
The Northern Pioneer will be registered in Norway and managed by the Japanese company, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (also known as “K” LINE).
“We are happy to reach this important milestone for Northern Lights,” said Yukikazu Myochin, President and CEO of “K” LINE. “Our team has a lot of experience with ships that carry liquefied gases, and we are ready to help Europe with its decarbonization goals.”
Key Facts About the Northern Pioneer
- Cargo Size: 7,500 m³ of CO2
- Ship Length: 130 meters
- Width: 21 meters
- Transport Conditions: Up to 19 bar(g) pressure and -35°C temperature
- Primary Fuel: LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
- Green Technology: Equipped with wind-assisted rotor sail and air lubrication to reduce emissions
Leading the Way in CO2 Transport
The Northern Pioneer and its sister ships are expected to make CO2 transport more flexible and scalable across Europe. This is a big step forward in the effort to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. With advanced technology and careful planning, Northern Lights is ready to lead the way in safe and efficient CO2 transport.
