ABS Approves First of Its Kind LCO2 Barge for U.S. Operation

[By ABS]

ABS has recently granted approval in principle (AIP) to Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (OSG) for their innovative design of a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) barge. This approval is a significant milestone for OSG, the parent company of Aptamus Carbon Solutions, as they work towards developing a new barge design to support the Tampa Regional Intermodal Carbon Hub (T-RICH) project.

The primary goal of the T-RICH project is to facilitate the receipt, storage, and processing of emissions from various industries in Florida for transport to regional sequestration sites. The LCO2 barge, designed as an articulated tug and barge unit (ATB), is the first of its kind in the U.S. specifically tailored to serve carbon capture projects.

The barge’s cargo handling system is designed to accommodate medium pressure LCO2 Type-C tanks, allowing for the transportation of up to 20,000 metric tons of cargo. ABS conducted thorough design reviews to ensure compliance with class requirements, including the latest standards for building and classing liquefied gas tank barges.

Gareth Burton, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering, expressed pride in ABS’s role in supporting this groundbreaking project, highlighting the organization’s expertise in gas carrier classification. Jeffrey Ross Williams, Aptamus President, also shared his enthusiasm for the milestone achievement, emphasizing the significance of the ABS AIP in advancing CO2 storage and marine transportation in the U.S.

Kent Merrill, Aptamus Vice President of Marine Projects, emphasized the unique design of the LCO2 vessel tailored for coastal operations in the U.S. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of partners like ABS, Corban Energy Group, and Herbert Engineering Corporation in driving the detailed development of the design. Merrill also highlighted plans to incorporate green fuel technologies, such as green methanol, into the tug’s design for sustainable operations.