ClassNK launches CO2 transport research

The initiative aims to establish a technical foundation for assessing corrosion risks associated with transporting liquefied CO2, with findings expected to improve both the safety and economic efficiency of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects.

Growing use of CCUS technologies is driving demand for dedicated LCO2 shipping. Cross-border transport operations have already begun in Europe, while significant growth in maritime CO2 transport is expected across the Asia-Pacific region as countries develop carbon capture infrastructure.

A key challenge for the sector is managing corrosion caused by trace impurities, including water and sulphur oxides, which can be present in liquefied CO2. Even small concentrations of these contaminants can affect cargo tank integrity, increasing the need for reliable methods to evaluate corrosion risks under realistic operating conditions.

As part of the project, NMRI will install a specialised CO2 corrosion testing facility capable of recreating the low-temperature and low-pressure environments expected during large-scale LCO2 transportation. Researchers will conduct corrosion tests under controlled conditions using different impurity types and concentrations to generate data supporting cargo tank design and maintenance.

The experimental findings will form the basis for future corrosion assessment methods and are expected to be incorporated into ClassNK’s rules and technical guidelines for liquefied CO2 carriers. The research also aims to establish a more rational approach to impurity management, enabling operators to balance corrosion prevention with the costs associated with removing contaminants from captured CO2 streams.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Tokyo’s Materials for Future Energy Infrastructure Trust programme. The partners expect the research to support future international standards and rule-making for the growing global market for liquefied CO2 transportation.