Kuantan port eyes liquid cargo diversification, to handle 30mil tonnes of liquefied CO2 annually by 2050

Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd has set ambitious plans for liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) handling at the Kuantan Port. By 2030, the port aims to process five million tonnes of liquid CO2 annually, with projections rising to 30 million tonnes by 2050. Kuantan Port's chief commercial officer, Mazlim Husin, revealed that the port has partnered with Petronas for carbon capture and storage, which will play a more significant role at the port in the future.

Petronas has acquired the right to lease or sublease approximately 60 hectares of land adjacent to Kuantan Port for the construction of a terminal. This development will enable the importation of liquefied CO2 from Japan, which will then be transported to the port via a special vessel. The CO2 will be prepared according to specific requirements, pressurized, and subsequently transported through a 250 km pipeline to permanent geological storage sites located offshore.

Mazlim emphasized that Kuantan Port envisions the liquid cargo to be a crucial component of its future cargo mix. Beyond the imported CO2, the port could serve as a hub for emitters across Peninsular Malaysia. Steel mills and cement plants, among others, could potentially transport liquefied CO2 to Kuantan Port using rail connectivity, before injecting it into offshore storage sites.

Kuantan Port is currently working closely with Petronas, with the project set to move into the execution phase next year. The port is hopeful that a final decision will be reached by then, paving the way for the successful implementation of the project.