Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Joint-Venture Partners to Establish Supply Chain, Design for LCO2 Carriers

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corp. and Nihon Shipyard formed a joint study with a collection of shipping companies, including “K” Line, NYK Line, and MOL, to establish standard specifications and designs for liquefied CO₂ (LCO₂) carriers. The joint study also enables LCO₂ carrier construction at additional shipyards in Japan.

The consortium will collaborate with industry stakeholders and shipyards, advancing Japanese decarbonization and construction supply chains by developing low-emission ships using low-carbon fuels, such as ammonia. The demand for LCO₂ carriers is expected to grow alongside CCS projects that transport CO₂ to storage sites by sea. Considering this market trend, the construction and supply of LCO₂ carriers will strengthen the CCS value chain and improve economic efficiency.

LCO2 carrier; Image Credits: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Low-Carbon News

In mid-August 2024, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Taiwan Fertilizer Co. (TFC) signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a joint pre-feasibility study on establishing an ammonia value chain in Taiwan, supporting the country’s 2050 Net-Zero Emissions goal. MHI and TFC will explore facilities and economic feasibility of the fuel ammonia value chain, including ammonia receiving, storage, handling, and delivery to power plants. In addition, they will assess using ammonia as a fuel for power generation.

In June, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and MHI agreed to research the integration of hydrogen co-firing technologies in gas turbine-driven power generation facilities in Thailand. Backing the country’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065, the partners’ research will facilitate the conversion of thermal power plants to clean-fuel operation.

The agreement will begin with a hydrogen co-firing pilot project at an EGAT power plant in Thailand, with an initial feasibility study to be performed by March 2025. For this pilot project and at EGAT’s request, the companies plan to achieve a hydrogen co-firing ratio of 20% with assistance from Mitsubishi Power. EGAT is also creating a strategic hydrogen supply chain management plan, which includes the transportation, storage, and distribution of hydrogen in Thailand. MHI and EGAT will conduct an evolved feasibility study based on the results of their partnership.

And, in December 2023, Mitsubishi Power conducted a successful power generation test using a 30% hydrogen-natural gas blend at partial and full load in a 1,650ºC J-series air-cooled gas turbine. The demonstration took place at the T-Point 2 combined-cycle power plant validation facility within Takasago Hydrogen Park (THP). Fueled with hydrogen produced at THP, the large-frame gas turbine was connected to the local power grid and operated with a 30% hydrogen fuel mix to assess the technology’s potential integration at scale.

The test demonstrated low NOx emissions, stable combustion during hydrogen co-firing, and the ability to switch from natural gas to hydrogen fuel blending during partial-load and full-load operation.