The first Northern Lights JV’s LNG-powered liquefied CO2 carrier is ready for delivery in China.
Northern Lights, the JV consisting of Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies, and Japan’s K Line announced this in separate statements.
On November 22, a ceremony was held at China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC) to mark that the 7,500-cbm Northern Pioneer is ready for delivery to Northern Lights JV.
The partners claim this is the world’s first LNG dual-fuel LCO2 carrier.
In August, the vessel completed its sea trials running on diesel.
Earlier this year, DSIC launched this vessel and its sister ship Northern Pathfinder.
Northern Lights JV noted that its CO2 receiving facility in Øygarden, Norway, was completed in September and is now ready to receive CO2 from Norwegian and European industries.
Northern Pioneer and its sister ship will transport liquefied CO2 from capture sites in Europe to the receiving terminal.
Four ships
K Line entered in February into a charter contract with the JV for a third LNG-powered liquefied CO2 vessel.
This follows the formerly signed contracts for managing the first two LCO2 ships in Northern Lights’ four ship fleet.
In December 2023, Northern Lights also signed a charter deal with Bernhard Schulte for a new LNG-powered CO2 carrier. The ship will be the fourth in line to the sister ships.
The JV expects to take delivery of the third vessel in 2025, while the fourth will be delivered in 2026.
All of the vessels will have LNG dual-fuel propulsion and two type C LCO2 tanks, claimed to be the first such tanks in the world.
Besides LNG power, the 130 meters long vessels feature a wind-assisted propulsion system and air lubrication in order to reduce carbon intensity.