{
  "id": 13920663,
  "title": "Greentech-Serie: CO₂‑Speicher oder grünes Methan: Wie die Schifffahrt klimaneutral werden soll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/greentech-serie-co2-speicher-oder-grunes-methan-wie-die-schifffahrt",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T09:23:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/energie/seefahrt-wie-die-schifffahrt-klimaneutral-werden-soll/100260957.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "The Clipper Eris, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank ship operated by the Norwegian shipping company Solvang, was recently equipped with a CO₂ capture system in 2024/25. Meanwhile, the Samskip Kvitbjorn, which sails between Rotterdam and Hammerfest in the Norwegian Sea, is also set to undergo a similar retrofit by 2027. This LNG-powered vessel will reduce its CO₂ emissions. The shipping sector is under pressure to act, as fossil fuels and ship diesel dominate the industry with a significant advantage. However, they are harmful to the climate, releasing large amounts of CO₂ when burned in ship engines. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), consisting of 176 member states, has committed to reducing emissions by 20-30% by 2030, aiming for near-zero-emission ships by 2050. But the question remains: will the Clipper Eris and Samskip Kvitbjorn be the solution, or is the answer found in other propulsion technologies? CO₂ capture is a proven technology, used in the cement and waste management industries. In shipping, it offers the advantage of being retrofitted onto existing engines. Pauline Leroi of the Future Cleantech Architects (FCA) thinks of it as a bridge technology, especially useful for existing fleets expected to operate for another decade or more. However, Leroi emphasizes that CO₂ capture alone is not the silver bullet to solve the climate problem. Both ships showcase a small-scale version of the entire process of capturing and storing CO₂ (Carbon Capture and Storage, or CCS). Upon reaching port, the CO₂ is pumped and processed further. Unlike onboard storage, land-based facilities provide a closed infrastructure for CO₂ storage or processing. An alternative solution comes from the British company Seabound, which developed an onboard CO₂ capture system for the UBC Cork. This system captures ship engine exhaust gases and reacts CO₂ with calcium hydroxide pellets, transforming it into calcium carbonate. As a key raw material for cement production, the calcium carbonate is stored on board and delivered to Heidelberg Materials' cement plant in Brevik, Norway, where it's used to produce eco-friendly concrete. Seabound claims that its system can capture up to 95% of CO₂ emissions from ship exhaust. Like the Clipper Eris and Samskip Kvitbjorn, this solution can also be retrofitted, and it avoids the cumbersome onboard storage of CO₂. In addition to CO₂ capture, dual-fuel engines are used in many new ships, allowing them to switch between ship diesel and alternative fuels like methanol. Most shipping companies opt for methanol, particularly Danish giant Maersk and its German partner Hapag-Lloyd. Methanol remains liquid under normal pressure and temperature, allowing easy refueling similar to ship diesel. Over 125 ports worldwide offer methanol refueling, according to the Methanex provider. However, methanol is only climate-neutral if it's produced synthetically using renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. Unfortunately, there are supply chain constraints in the global market.",
  "summary": "Die Seefahrt will klimaneutral werden – und sucht nach Lösungen. Erste Schiffe werden mit Anlagen zur CO₂‑Speicherung nachgerüstet. Konzerne testen weitere Antriebsarten. Reicht das?",
  "key_points": [
    "Clipper Eris and Samskip Kvitbjorn retrofit CO₂ capture systems in 2024/25 and 2027.",
    "LNG-powered vessels reduce CO₂ emissions, but shipping sector remains climate threat.",
    "Methanol refueling offers climate-neutral alternative if produced synthetically."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}