The World’s First Ship Equipped with Full-Scale Carbon Capture Facility

Clipper Eris, the ethylene carrier owned by Norwegian player Solvang, is making waves in the maritime industry as it undergoes a groundbreaking transformation. Following a turnkey carbon capture and storage (CCS) retrofit by Singaporean shipbuilding group Seatrium, Clipper Eris is set to become “the world’s first” ship equipped with a full-scale carbon capture facility.

A Collaborative Effort

The full-scale CCS retrofit of the 21,289 cubic meter ethylene carrier is a result of a joint initiative by Solvang, Seatrium, technology providers Wärtsilä and MAN Energy Solutions, along with the research institute SINTEF. This Enova-backed project involves the installation of a 7 MW Wärtsilä CCS system, which is expected to capture 70% of CO2 emissions from the main engine using amine cleaning technology.

Seatrium’s scope of work includes basic design, detailed engineering, procurement, and the integration of the carbon capture and compression/storage system into the vessel’s existing infrastructure.

Setting Sail for Innovation

The vessel has recently undergone a full retrofit at Seatrium’s Admiralty yard in Singapore and is scheduled to commence pilot testing in early February. This marks a significant milestone in the project, as Clipper Eris will be piloting the technology over the course of a year while continuing its commercial operations.

If successful, Solvang plans to implement the technology on more vessels, including newbuilds set for delivery by 2026-2027. CEO Edvin Endresen of Solvang ASA envisions a future where onboard carbon capture technologies play a pivotal role in decarbonizing the global deep-sea fleet.

Towards a Sustainable Future

Endresen emphasizes the importance of developing global infrastructure for CO2 discharge in shipping and the need for IMO to implement regulations that incentivize emission reduction. He believes that predictability is crucial for the industry to invest in sustainable solutions and achieve the set environmental goals.

As Clipper Eris embarks on this pioneering journey, it symbolizes a step towards a more sustainable future for the maritime industry. With innovative technologies and collaborative efforts, the world’s first ship equipped with a full-scale carbon capture facility is paving the way for a cleaner and greener maritime sector.