The on-board carbon capture and storage (OCCS) pathway has taken a clear step forward. Following Korea-led pilots involving HMM, Samsung Heavy Industries, PANASIA, and Korean Register—where a feeder vessel ran an amine-based capture system through repeated operational tests—the conversation has shifted from concept to implementation on real ships.
Nordast is preparing to support PANASIA’s OCCS for ships trading in our region. This will cover supply of PANASIA systems, PANASIA-Authorized spare parts, and service/retrofit support. We will share more technical and scheduling details as project scopes finalize.
Why this matters?
The recent trials demonstrated an end-to-end chain at sea: flue-gas pretreatment, absorption, regeneration, drying/purification, liquefaction to LCO₂, deck storage, and controlled offloading. Class Approval in Principle (AIP) established feasibility at concept level; shipboard testing showed the process operating under real duty cycles. For owners, that reduces uncertainty. The remaining questions are now vessel-specific: space, heat, power, routing, and offloading cadence.
Practical takeaways from the pilots
- Integration looks familiar. Vessels already running scrubbers have a head start on flue-gas conditioning and materials, which supports absorber stability and simplifies tie-ins.
- Energy is a planning item. OCCS requires heat for regeneration and electrical power for compression/liquefaction. These needs are manageable with early mapping of auxiliary margins and waste-heat options.
- Offloading is logistics. LCO₂ handling can be planned into port rotations via barge, truck, or terminal, with storage sized to expected intervals.
- Capture is adjustable. Capture rates can be tuned to match route exposure and energy availability rather than run at a single fixed point.
What owners can prepare now (to streamline discussions later)
- Space & weight: Identify potential locations for absorber/regenerator skids and LCO₂ tanks; check structural margins and access.
- Heat & power: Outline auxiliary capacity and waste-heat availability across typical operating profiles.
- Flue-gas interface: Note current exhaust configuration and any scrubber details relevant to pretreatment and back-pressure.
- CO₂ logistics: List ports where offloading could be feasible given berth time and local arrangements.
- Controls & data: Consider measurement points you already have (e.g., gas, pressure, level) and how data could support MRV and operational monitoring.
- Class touchpoints: Keep your normal retrofit sequence in mind (concept, HAZID/HAZOP, detail design, shop test, install, commissioning).
What’s next?
As timelines, interface details, and initial vessel candidates are confirmed, we’ll publish updates and technical notes here. In the meantime, if your team is mapping future yard windows or evaluating space/energy envelopes, those internal notes will help accelerate early feasibility conversations once formal scoping begins.
