Northern Lights first liquefied CO2 carrier newbuilding poised for handover

Norway’s Northern Lights carbon capture and storage project is set to receive its first liquefied CO₂ carrier newbuilding from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) in China.

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The 7,500-cbm Northern Pioneer (built 2024) is due to be delivered later this week after sailing for about 55 days from China, according to a spokesperson for the joint venture.

Northern Lights is a partnership between Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies.

The Norwegian-registered Northern Pioneer, which is owned and managed by K Line, is one of four vessels that will form the largest dedicated CO₂ shipping fleet globally.

The LNG dual-fuelled vessel, which is fitted with wind-assisted rotor sails and an air lubrication system, was originally due for delivery in the first half of 2024.

Sister ship the Northern Pathfinder is also due for delivery from DSIC this year.

Two additional LCO₂ carriers for Northern Lights are being built by Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co (DSOC).

Northern Lights said it will be the first company to offer commercial CO₂ transport and storage as a service.

In September, the company declared its 1.5-mtpa receiving facility in Oygarden, Norway, as complete and ready to take in CO₂ from Norwegian and European industries. It is the world’s first cross-border CO₂ transport and storage facility.

Captured and liquefied CO₂ will be shipped from industrial emitters in northern Europe to the terminal from where it will be sent for permanent storage via a 110-km pipeline to the offshore location 2,600 metres below the North Sea.

Northern Lights managing director Tim Heijn said: “This is a great moment for Northern Lights and the CCS [carbon capture and storage] industry.

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Heijn said: “Today we celebrate that the full CO₂ transport and storage chain of Northern Lights is ready. Northern Pioneer and her sister ships will enable flexible and scalable CO₂ transport across Europe.”

DSIC vice president Lin Jiming said: “We take great pride in designing and constructing the world’s first ship for commercial CO₂ transport.”

K Line president and chief executive Yukikazu Myochin said: “We are delighted to have reached a significant milestone for the Northern Lights value chain making the first step in our journey.”