ClassNK releases Handbook Supporting Consideration of Onboard Carbon Capture ‘Onboard Carbon Capture Systems Implementation Framework’

ClassNK has unveiled a new handbook titled 'Onboard Carbon Capture Systems Implementation Framework' as part of its Handbook on Ship GHG Emissions Evaluation series. This handbook offers practical advice for shipowners, operators, and other interested parties contemplating the incorporation of onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS). Its aim is to assist these parties in comprehending the various factors at play in an OCCS project and to facilitate dialogues among pertinent stakeholders concerning OCCS implementation.

The integration of OCCS demands contemplation not just of the supply chain from onboard CO₂ capture to storage and other forms of final treatment, but also of systems for measuring and confirming emissions reductions. These consist of MRV*1 and CoC*2 systems for managing captured CO₂ and its accompanying attribute data. The handbook consolidates these considerations from technical, infrastructure, regulatory, and emissions-reduction assessment viewpoints and can serve as a tool to aid discussions among relevant parties and the contemplation of specific OCCS projects.

The maritime sector is actively exploring several strategies to decrease GHG emissions, incorporating operational enhancements, the incorporation of energy-efficient technologies, and the shift to substitute fuels. Among these alternatives, onboard CO₂ capture - wherein CO₂ is extracted from ships' exhaust gas, processed, and temporarily stored on board - has garnered interest as a method to aid GHG emissions reduction, with demonstration projects and deliberations on pertinent regulatory frameworks advancing globally.

However, turning the application of OCCS into genuine emissions reductions necessitates more than merely the onboard system. Transshipment routes for unloading, transportation, storage, sequestration, or utilization of captured CO₂, as well as mechanisms for gauging and verifying emissions reductions, must be established. Given that these considerations span technology, infrastructure, regulation, and emissions-reduction assessment, a comprehensive project perspective is crucial.

ClassNK has sought to establish safety and technical standards for such systems through the creation of its "Guidelines for Onboard CO₂ Capture and Storage Systems"*.3, while also collecting knowledge through demonstration projects and experience from various GHG certification services. Utilizing this knowledge and experience, the handbook has been designed to assist stakeholders contemplating the introduction of OCCS in gaining a holistic understanding of the relevant factors.

ClassNK intends to persist in supporting the maritime industry's decarbonization initiatives by furnishing pertinent information.