HMM moves to capture carbon on box ships stuck in the fleet

In the UK, The Loadstar reports HMM, South Korea’s leading carrier, is set to install onboard carbon capture and storage systems on vessels too young to scrap, a move revealed by HMM director Kim Min-kang at a recent eco-friendly shipping seminar. Director Kim noted that even when new ships equipped with LNG or methanol dual-fuel engines are put in service in the near term, existing ships will still comprise the majority of emissions. Retrofitting these older ships with dual-fuel engines is impractical, Kim explained, making OCCS a viable alternative to curb emissions.

Kim said, “In theory, OCCS devices can capture 100% of carbon dioxide, but since the process consumes additional energy, it is currently known to capture 60%-70% of CO2 generated. How to process the captured carbon will be the final obstacle to commercialisation.”

HMM’s OCCS, co-developed by Samsung Heavy Industries, Panasia, and the Korean Register of Shipping, was tested in July on the 2,200-TEU HMM Mongla. To address limited disposal options, HMM is exploring partnerships with shipyards to use captured CO2 as a shielding gas for arc welding.

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