Samsung Heavy Industries Leads the Way in Sustainable Shipping

In a groundbreaking achievement for the maritime industry, Samsung Heavy Industries, in collaboration with HMM, Panasia, and Korea Register (KR), has successfully demonstrated an Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) system on a commercial container ship. This marks a significant step forward in the quest for decarbonized shipping solutions.

Innovative Technology for a Greener Future

Since July of last year, the team has been testing an amine-absorption OCCS on a 2,200-TEU HMM container ship, the first such trial in South Korea on a vessel in commercial operation. Monthly performance validations have proven the system's effectiveness and commercial viability, utilizing waste heat from the ship's operations to capture and store CO₂, thereby minimizing energy consumption.

Turning Captured CO₂ into Eco-Friendly Fuel

The project has also explored the practical use of captured CO₂, with liquefied CO₂ of over 99.9% purity being used to produce eco-friendly methanol, a potential future fuel for ships. This initiative represents a leap beyond traditional carbon storage methods, showcasing a sustainable loop of carbon resource utilization.

The Path Forward

While the technology shows promise, experts highlight the need for supportive onshore infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to accelerate OCCS commercialization. Lee Dong-yeon of Samsung Heavy Industries envisions OCCS as a cornerstone for achieving net-zero emissions in shipping, emphasizing the importance of industry-wide collaboration.