Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) said it signed a deal with Australian and Japanese partners to execute an R&D Project Agreement to develop safe and efficient solutions for industrial-scale shipping of CO2.

The other companies who have executed a Project Agreement for the "LP Technology R&D Project" to conduct research and development to demonstrate the technical feasibility and operability of low-pressure and low-temperature solutions for the bulk transport of CO2 by ships are Future Energy Exports CRC Limited (FEnEx CRC), JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation (JX NOEX), Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA), and Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Osaka Gas).

MOL said the LP Technology R&D Project will involve studying the behaviour and boil-off characteristics of liquid CO2 under dynamic operating conditions and the impact of non-CO2 components through the following activities.

This LP Technology R&D Project will be executed by FEnEx CRC, University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Seoul National University and deepC Store Pty Ltd.

The R&D would include incorporating new data into custom engineering models for CO2 boil-off and phase behavior calculations developed by the FEnEx CRC and using the new data to test predictions made with existing software tools.

It would also cover the designing pilot-scale Carbon Capture, Utilisation &/or Storage (CCUS) demonstration tests or projects needed to validate the engineering models anchored to laboratory data that can be upscaled as part of a subsequent project.

MOL noted that the current design of liquefied CO2 vessels has a limited storage volume due to their operating pressure and temperature (18 bar, -26 C).

"Low pressures and low temperatures (approximately 7 bar, -49°C) are considered one of the best options to significantly reduce costs for CO2 vessel design. However, there is no record of liquefied CO2 transportation by ship under low pressure and low-temperature conditions," the Japanese transport company said.

It added that therefore, it is necessary to address operational risks and enhance the likelihood of technical feasibility.

"Through this LP Technology R&D Project, we aim to mature the technologies needed to safely and efficiently ship large quantities of CO2," MOL further said.

The announcement noted that through future demonstrations of this LP Technology, the companies aspire to assist Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region to reach Net Zero by linking key emission sources to long-term utilization and storage solutions.

"We are very honored and excited to have this opportunity to jointly collaborate with Australian research institutions and Japanese companies to advance the technical and commercial maturation for liquefied CO2 shipping transportation under low pressures and low temperatures. We believe the result of this project can be one step closer to the realization of a lower carbon future," said Yasuchika Noma, executive officer at MOL.

For his part, Eric May, chief executive officer & managing director, and professor at FEnEx CRC, noted the "unique opportunity" for Australia to take a leadership role in developing industrial-scale CO2 transport.

"Successful research in this area will help maximize economic opportunities for Australia as well as forge increased international collaboration and cooperation vital to progressing our decarbonization goals," May said.

Yasuto Ariga, executive officer, and general manager — of the sustainable business unit at JX NOEX said the companies will make collaborative efforts to develop a feasible CO2 bulk transportation method through this Project.

"In addition, we are taking this opportunity to build good relationships with industry, government, and academia in Australia for its large potential CO2 sequestration capacity, and also promote cooperation with Project partners for the realization of an overseas CCS project," Ariga said.