Solvang to pilot Wärtsilä CCS system on ethylene carrier by 2023

Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment is currently developing the CCS system. A land-based 1MW test system is under construction at its Moss headquarters in Norway, and will be completed in autumn 2021.

The pilot system, which will be designed and supplied by Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment, is expected to be retrofitted by 2023. The retrofit of the CCS unit aboard Clipper Eos is being undertaken with the cooperation of Japan-based Marubeni Corporation, which time chartered the vessel upon delivery at Hyundai MIPO’s shipyard in 2019.

The Motorship notes that Solvang has a track record of achieving significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions while operating on HSFO. The Clipper Eos, which features a hybrid Wärtsilä Venturi exhaust gas cleaning system combined with a low pressure EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system, is Tier III compliant operating on HSFO. 

To remain in line with the IMO’s decarbonisation targets, Wärtsilä is initially aiming for a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions at the point of exhaust with its pilot unit.

The agreement reinforces Wärtsilä’s continued research and development into carbon capture at the point of exhaust to support the shipping industry’s decarbonisation pathway.

Commenting on the announcement, Sigurd Jenssen, Director at Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment, said: “Joining forces with Solvang to build and retrofit a commercially viable CCS technology demonstrates to the industry that we are only two or three years away from bringing to market another vital tool in shipping’s decarbonisation toolkit. We are excited to see how this collaboration with Solvang evolves in the coming months. Our land-based test unit is nearing completion, and we will then move to making it a reality on the Clipper Eos, ensuring that both Wärtsilä and Solvang remain at the forefront of maritime sustainability technology advancement.”

Edvin Endresen, CEO at Solvang ASA added: “Carbon capture and storage is an exciting development that we are proud to support, and strongly believe that this technology could be an important key to decarbonize the world’s deep-sea fleet. As a forward-thinking company that is equally passionate about ensuring the industry’s transition to decarbonisation, Wärtsilä is the perfect partner as we look to scale up sustainable technologies across our fleet and reduce shipping’s environmental impact on the world.”