ABS launches onboard carbon capture requirements

The class society says that experience and insight derived from pioneering carbon capture projects with stakeholders such as shipyards, ship owners and OEMs have informed development of the requirements.

The requirements include an optional “Ready” notation for vessels based on their level of preparation for future OCCS installations.

As the range of technologies is broad and may be combined with other exhaust gas emission abatement technologies, ABS says the applicable requirements will vary on a case-by-case basis. However, the intention is not to hinder application of any novel technologies, and systems designed for partial or full CO2 capture will be considered. Pre-combustion or fuel treatment technologies that remove carbon prior to combustion or use in fuel cells may also be considered. Systems that remove, process and store carbon in compounds other than CO2 or use methods other than solvent based scrubbing systems, such as membranes or cryogenic distillation, will also be considered.

If an onboard carbon capture system is fitted onboard, the EGC-OCCS notation is mandatory. The ready notation has the following options:

• EGC-OCCS Ready 1C indicates a high-level evaluation of the compliance of the basic suitability of a particular vessel design to fit an onboard carbon capture system.
• EGC-OCCS Ready 2D indicates a detailed evaluation of the compliance of the suitability of a particular vessel design to fit an onboard carbon capture system.
• EGC-OCCS Ready 3 extends the Class approval of the drawings to the installation of parts of the system or complete system onboard the vessel including survey in accordance with applicable requirements.

“Carbon capture could be a key transformational technology for shipping to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. ABS is working with leading organizations to support safe development of the technology, which is still maturing but shows genuine promise. The requirements we have developed are a key step toward harnessing the potential of carbon capture to tackle the challenge of the energy transition for our industry,” said Georgios Plevrakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability.

In September 2022, ABS launched its Insights into Onboard Carbon Capture which examines the various methods of onboard carbon capture as well as carbon handling and storage and downstream considerations, as well as regulatory issues.

Although onboard carbon capture systems are still being piloted, investment is expected to increase over the course of the next decade, especially as discussions on global carbon markets advance.