🌫️ Carbon Capture at Sea: Can Ships Really Trap Their Emissions?

My name is Davide Ramponi, I am 20 years old and currently completing my training as a shipping agent in Hamburg. On my blog, I take you with me on my journey into the fascinating world of shipping. I share my knowledge, my experiences, and my progress on the way to becoming an expert in the field of Sale and Purchase – the trade with ships

As the global shipping industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, new solutions are emerging to tackle emissions at their source. We’ve seen developments in green fuels, electrification, and energy efficiency—but what if ships could continue running on conventional fuels while capturing their carbon emissions before they ever reach the atmosphere?

That’s the promise behind carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at sea.

But how does it actually work onboard a vessel? Is it viable on a commercial scale, or is it still a laboratory dream? What are the regulatory and financial implications, and who’s already testing it?

In this post, I’ll walk you through the fundamentals of maritime carbon capture, explore the key challenges and opportunities, and examine early pilot projects that may determine whether CCS will sail—or sink.

Let’s explore one of shipping’s most intriguing questions: Can we trap carbon at sea before it becomes a global problem?

What Is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)? 🧪

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a process that removes CO₂ emissions from exhaust gases, either before or after combustion, and stores or utilizes them to prevent their release into the atmosphere.

On land, CCS has been used for decades in industries like power generation and cement production. In shipping, the challenge is adapting this bulky, complex process to fit within the tight confines of a moving vessel.

Core Components of CCS:

1. Capture Unit – Extracts CO₂ from the engine exhaust using chemical solvents (e.g., amine-based systems).

2. Compression Unit – Compresses the captured CO₂ into liquid or solid form.

3. Storage Tanks – Temporary onboard storage before offloading.

4. Discharge System – Transfers the CO₂ to onshore facilities for permanent storage or reuse.

The ultimate goal? Let ships keep running on fossil fuels, but without contributing to atmospheric CO₂ levels. Sounds promising—but also complicated.

Technical Challenges Onboard ⚙️⛴️

Bringing CCS to ships isn’t as easy as installing a new filter. There are significant technical and operational barriers.

1. Space and Weight Constraints

• CCS systems require large capture towers, compressors, and storage tanks.

• Most vessels don’t have enough unused space to accommodate these without sacrificing cargo capacity.

2. Energy Demand

• Operating a CCS system consumes 20–30% of the ship’s power, depending on the capture rate.

• This creates a fuel efficiency trade-off, especially on long-haul routes.

3. System Integration

• Exhaust temperatures, flow rates, and contaminants vary between engine types.

• CCS systems must be custom-tuned for each vessel’s propulsion setup.

4. Handling and Offloading

• Captured CO₂ must be stored safely onboard and offloaded in port—requiring shore-based infrastructure that doesn’t yet exist at scale.

📌 Bottom Line:

The technology works in theory—but fitting it on a ship without disrupting performance is the challenge.

Economic Viability: Is It Worth the Cost? 💸📉

CCS is not cheap—and that’s one reason why uptake in shipping has been cautious so far.

Estimated Costs:

• Installation: $2–5 million per vessel (depending on size and integration complexity).

• Opex: Increased fuel consumption, maintenance, and CO₂ handling.

• Storage: Port fees and logistics for discharging captured CO₂.

However, as carbon pricing increases (especially under the EU ETS and future IMO levies), CCS may become more attractive—particularly for older vessels that can’t be retrofitted for alternative fuels.

Cost Offset Opportunities:

• 💸 Carbon credits: Capturing CO₂ could qualify shipowners for emissions credits or exemptions.

• 🏦 Green financing: Early adopters may benefit from ESG-aligned loans and incentives.

• 🔄 CO₂ reuse: In future, captured CO₂ may be converted into e-fuels or used in industrial processes.

Conclusion:

CCS is expensive now—but could be cost-competitive as carbon penalties rise and technology matures.

Regulatory Considerations: Is the Industry Ready? ⚖️🌍

The regulatory framework for CCS in shipping is still in early development—but pressure is building.

Key Factors:

• IMO Strategy 2023 recognizes CCS as a potential mid-term decarbonization tool.

• EU ETS includes shipping from 2024, increasing the value of any emissions-reducing tech.

• MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) protocols would need to be expanded to include captured CO₂—not just emitted CO₂.

• Port State Control must eventually regulate CO₂ offloading and handling to ensure safe storage.

Challenges:

• Who is responsible for verifying captured emissions?

• Will CCS count toward CII ratings or compliance credits?

• What standards will govern CO₂ transport, storage, or reuse?

⚠️ Insight:

Regulation is playing catch-up. Without a clear compliance pathway, shipowners remain hesitant.

Pilot Projects: Testing CCS at Sea 🚢🧪

Despite the hurdles, several pioneering projects are already putting CCS on the water.

🧪 Mitsubishi Shipbuilding + K Line (Japan)

• Project: Demonstration of a marine-based CCS system on a coal carrier.

• Technology: CO₂ capture using an amine-based solvent.

• Result: Successful capture of 99% of exhaust CO₂ on short trials.

🧪 Samsung Heavy Industries + PANASIA (South Korea)

• Project: Onboard CCS system for LNG carriers.

• Objective: Reduce GHG emissions to meet IMO 2050.

• Status: Design phase completed; sea trials expected in 2025.

🧪 EcoLog + SinOceanic Shipping (Norway)

• Project: Retrofitting a VLCC with a compact CCS unit.

• Focus: Modular systems for crude oil tankers.

• Challenges: Space optimization and CO₂ tank placement.

🧪 Wärtsilä + Future Proof Shipping

• Exploring integration of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) with fuel cell and hybrid-electric systems.

These early initiatives are shaping the technical blueprint—and providing data to influence regulators and investors.

CCS vs Other Decarbonization Options ⚖️🔄

Where does CCS stand compared to other emission-reducing technologies?

Solution	Emission Reduction	Tech Maturity	Operational Impact	Scalability	Cost
Biofuels	60–90% (lifecycle)	✅ High	✅ Minimal	⚠️ Limited	⚖️ Medium
Green Methanol	80–95%	⚠️ Medium	⚠️ Engine upgrade	⚠️ Emerging	💰 High
Ammonia	100% (in theory)	❌ Low	⚠️ High risk	❌ Early stage	💰💰 Very High
Wind-Assisted Propulsion	5–20%	✅ Proven	✅ Moderate impact	✅ Niche	⚖️ Medium
Carbon Capture (CCS)	Up to 90%	⚠️ Low	❌ High impact	⚠️ Developing	💰 High

Summary:

CCS isn’t a rival—it’s a complement to other strategies, especially for legacy fleets or transitional fuel users.

Future Outlook: When Will CCS Go Mainstream? 📆

CCS isn’t ready to scale across the global fleet—but its potential is too big to ignore.

What Needs to Happen:

• 🔧 Miniaturization: Smaller, more efficient units that fit more vessel types.

• 💶 Cost reduction: Through economies of scale, R&D, and regulatory incentives.

• ⚓ Port infrastructure: To safely offload and store CO₂.

• 📊 Policy alignment: Clear rules on CCS compliance and credits.

Forecast:

• 2025–2030: Expanded pilot programs, early commercial adoption on large vessels.

• 2030–2040: Widespread integration alongside e-fuels and hybrid systems.

🧭 The next 5 years will be critical in deciding whether CCS becomes a niche solution—or a core decarbonization tool.

Final Thoughts: Fantasy Today, Reality Tomorrow? 🌫️⚓

Let’s recap the key takeaways:

• 🔬 Carbon capture can remove up to 90% of onboard CO₂ emissions.

• ⚠️ Technical barriers—space, energy use, and integration—are significant.

• 💸 Costs are high, but may fall as carbon pricing rises and tech matures.

• 🧪 Early pilots show technical feasibility but need regulatory support.

• 🚢 CCS won’t replace clean fuels—but it could extend the life of conventional ones.

In a decarbonizing world, there is no single silver bullet. But CCS might be part of the multi-tool toolkit shipping needs to reach net zero.

👇 Would you consider CCS on your vessel if the cost and regulations aligned? Or is it a solution best left to larger fleets?

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — I look forward to the exchange!

---

---