Europe’s First Offshore CO₂ Carrier Launched To Boost Carbon Capture & Storage

INEOS Energy, one of the leading chemical producers and shipping company Royal Wagenborg have launched and named the first offshore CO₂ carrier built in Europe, Carbon Destroyer 1.

This vessel is a crucial part of the EU’s efforts to develop large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) through Project Greensand.

The launch took place at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the Netherlands, where Lady Catherine Ratcliffe performed the traditional naming ceremony as the ship’s godmother.

The vessel is designed specifically to transport captured carbon dioxide safely under pressure and at low temperatures. It is based on Royal Wagenborg’s EasyMax ship design but has been adapted to meet strict safety and environmental standards.

Project Greensand aims to position Denmark as a central hub for offshore CO₂ storage in Europe. The Carbon Destroyer 1 will operate between the Port of Esbjerg in Denmark and the Nini West offshore platform.

A new CO₂ terminal is being constructed to act as the key onshore hub at Esbjerg. This terminal will feature six large storage tanks and the necessary infrastructure to receive, temporarily store, and load liquefied CO₂ onto the vessel.

Initially, captured CO₂ will come from Danish biogas plants, transported by truck to the terminal before transfer to the carrier.

From Esbjerg, the vessel will sail to the Nini Field, where CO₂ will be injected more than 1,800 meters beneath the seabed into depleted oil reservoirs.

These reservoirs have been certified as safe for permanent long-term storage, ensuring that captured carbon remains securely trapped.

Senior leaders from both companies highlighted the significance of this launch. The chairman of INEOS pointed out that this vessel proves that carbon storage is commercially viable in Europe.

He emphasised that CCS offers a better way to reduce carbon emissions across the continent without risking deindustrialisation.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Royal Wagenborg described the launch as a landmark moment for the company. He said it reflects a blend of over 100 years of maritime experience and a forward-looking commitment to sustainability.

As the first European-built offshore CO₂ carrier, the vessel positions both Wagenborg and its partners at the forefront of Europe’s energy transition.

The CEO of INEOS Energy Europe added that Carbon Destroyer 1 will create a “virtual pipeline” by transporting captured CO₂ from various sources across Europe directly to offshore storage sites beneath the North Sea seabed.

This capability is essential for developing a commercial-scale CCS infrastructure across the continent.

The vessel is expected to be fully operational by late 2025 or early 2026, aligning with the planned start of Project Greensand’s permanent commercial CO₂ storage operations.

Reference: INEOS

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