DNV and partners commence second phase of low-pressure CO₂ ship transport project

DNV, Equinor and TotalEnergies announce the start of the second phase of the CETO (CO2 Efficiently Transported via Ocean) joint industry project (JIP). Overall, the project aims to further de-risk the low-pressure CO₂ transport chain, with focus on CO₂ composition. Phase two will generate experimental data to support the development of CO₂ product specifications for ship-based carbon capture and storage (CCS) transport value chains at low pressure. The project is financially supported by GASSNOVA through the CLIMIT programme. 

For CCS to reach its full potential as an emissions reduction solution, the ability to transport CO₂ at scale will be critical. While pipelines can effectively transport CO2 over shorter distances, ship transport is necessary in cases where capture sources and storage sites are not so easily connected. A low-pressure value chain is regarded as one possible solution to enable large-scale CO₂ ship transport. 



The commencement of CETO II follows the successful completion of the project’s first phase in July 2024. The first phase of the JIP demonstrated that shipping of CO₂ at low-pressure conditions is feasible, and that the technology is ready for initial deployment. However, a dedicated product specification for low-pressure CO₂ must still be developed, as it directly impacts chain design, material selection, and overall operations. 



The prediction models typically used to define the specification at these conditions need to be calibrated using experimental data. Through its experimental campaign, the second phase of the project will generate data to support the development of CO₂ specifications, focusing on chemical reactions and the solubility limits of acids, to enhance the understanding of the effect of impurities in the CO₂ stream under conditions relevant for shipping.



Erik Mathias Sørhaug, Business Development Director CO₂ Shipping at DNV, said: “Better understanding of the risks related to different types of CO₂ compositions is essential to further develop low pressure CCS value chains. Data available on the topic is limited, so the CETO II project will work to fill the knowledge gaps in the industry. Having a means to cost-effectively transport large volumes of CO₂ is vital to scaling the use of CCS as an emissions reduction solution, and the outcomes of this project will help to identify the specifications needed to support reliable and robust low-pressure CO₂ shipping operations.



“We are pleased to continue the good collaboration with TotalEnergies and Equinor and hope new potential partners will find the JIP attractive. With additional partners onboard, we will be able to expand the scope even further to include other key topics related to CO₂ carrier design and operation.”