.jpeg)
Shanghai has achieved a significant milestone in the maritime industry with the successful completion of the first ship-to-ship transfer of liquid carbon dioxide (LCO₂) that was captured from a vessel's emissions. This operation took place on June 19 at the Shengdong Terminal of Yangshan Deepwater Port, where the barge Dejin docked alongside the Panamanian-flagged container ship, EVER TOP.
The EVER TOP, recognized as the world's first container ship fitted with an onboard carbon capture system, effectively offloaded the captured CO₂ directly to another vessel. This development follows the ship's earlier achievement in 2023, when it executed the first-ever send-to-shore transfer of captured CO₂ at the same port.
The technology, known as the Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) system, allows ships to capture and store CO₂ from their exhaust gases while they are at sea. Su Yi, the general manager of the institute’s Environmental Equipment Division, stated that the system can capture over 80% of carbon dioxide emissions with an impressive purity of 99.9%. He also pointed out that retrofitting a large container ship like the 14,000 TEU EVER TOP with this system costs around $10 million—less than half the expense of converting the ship to run on methanol or ammonia, the current alternatives aimed at reducing emissions.
The captured carbon dioxide does not go to waste; it can be sold for commercial applications, potentially generating up to $8 million in revenue per ship annually. This approach transforms what was once considered waste into a valuable commercial asset.
One of the significant challenges of carbon capture on ships has been the difficulty associated with offloading the captured CO₂. Many industrial customers are located near smaller ports that lack the facilities to handle large vessels, making the offloading process both expensive and logistically complex. However, the newly demonstrated ship-to-ship transfer method addresses this issue effectively. Instead of needing specialized port infrastructure, CO₂ can now be transferred directly from one ship to another while at sea or anchored offshore, adding flexibility to the process and significantly reducing transportation costs.
Du Mingsai, who oversaw the transfer operation, noted that ship-to-ship transfers are far more efficient than traditional methods. A single CO₂ carrier can transport dozens, if not hundreds, of times more fuel than a standard tanker truck, simplifying the scaling of operations to meet the demands of industrial users across various locations.
This innovation completes a comprehensive closed-loop cycle, starting from onboard carbon capture, followed by liquefaction and storage, and concluding with ship-to-ship transfer for delivery to end customers. The entire process is now integrated at sea without relying on heavy port infrastructure.
Shanghai's successful demonstration serves as what officials are calling a replicable Shanghai Solution for reducing carbon emissions from ships on a global scale. According to data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the worldwide shipping sector emits approximately 1 billion tons of CO₂ each year, accounting for nearly 3% of global emissions.
Experts from the Shanghai institute are now contributing to the IMO’s newly formed working group on OCCS systems, with their expertise expected to help shape international standards and regulations for onboard carbon capture, along with its safe and efficient transfer between vessels.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the information updated and accurate, we make no guarantees or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the site for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. In no event shall we be liable for any loss or damage, including without limitation indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of or in connection with the use of this website.
