Northern Lights CCS Fleet Grows with First Bernard Schulte's LCO2 Carrier

Northern Lights CCS Fleet Grows with First Bernard Schulte's LCO2 Carrier

Bernhard Schulte has recently christened its first liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier. This marks the company's entry into the carbon capture and storage (CCS)-related shipping segment. The vessel, named Northern Purpose, was officially launched on May 19 at Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore (DSOC) in China. It will play a crucial role in supporting the Northern Lights CCS project, a significant cross-border CO2 transport and storage initiative in Norway.

The Role of Northern Purpose in CCS

Following its delivery, the Northern Purpose will enter a long-term time charter. It will transport captured CO2 from industrial customers located in Northwest Europe to Norway. The CO2 will be stored permanently beneath the Norwegian continental shelf. This operation is vital for achieving the region's climate goals.

The Northern Purpose is the fourth dedicated LCO2 carrier for the Northern Lights project. It is also the first of its type within Bernhard Schulte’s fleet. This addition underscores the growing importance of maritime transport in the CCS sector.

Technical Specifications of Northern Purpose

The vessel has a cargo capacity of 7,500 cubic meters. This capacity is distributed across two cylindrical pressure tanks. It is specifically designed to transport liquefied CO2 at low temperatures and medium pressure.

The LCO2 carrier is equipped with an LNG dual-fuel propulsion system. Additionally, it features a wind-assisted rotor sail and an air lubrication system. These technologies aim to reduce operational emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Management and Operations

The vessel will be managed by Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement. This company adds LCO2 carriers to its managed fleet portfolio, which includes over 670 vessels. The management team is committed to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the Northern Purpose.

“Our new LCO2 carrier marks the exciting expansion of Bernhard Schulte’s fleet portfolio into this innovative tanker segment. We are delighted to be part of Northern Lights’ industry-leading project to provide CO2 transport and storage infrastructure,” stated Johann Schulte, Majority Shareholder of the Schulte Group and Chief Commercial Officer of Bernhard Schulte.

Collaboration and Future Prospects

The close collaboration with DSOC as the selected shipbuilding partner highlights Bernhard Schulte's long-standing relationships with Chinese shipyards. This partnership is crucial for the successful delivery of the Northern Purpose.

Tim Heijn, Managing Director in Northern Lights, remarked, “We welcome the Northern Purpose into the world’s first fleet of dedicated CO2 carriers. The delivery of the Northern Purpose marks an important milestone in scaling the transportation capacity needed to support Europe’s decarbonization. We are looking forward to working with Bernhard Schulte to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable operations for many years to come.”

Conclusion

The introduction of the Northern Purpose is a significant step forward in the maritime transport of CO2. It demonstrates the commitment of Bernhard Schulte and its partners to advancing the CCS sector. As the world moves towards decarbonization, vessels like the Northern Purpose will play an essential role in transporting captured carbon safely and efficiently.

For more information on maritime transport and carbon capture, visit MarineLink.

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