South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has reached an agreement with German multinational chemical company BASF for a collaborative feasibility assessment of capturing CO2 onboard maritime vessels using BASF technology for flue gas applications.
The companies announced the agreement on Sept. 9.
The scope of the collaboration includes a marinization study as well as engineering design and construction of the carbon capture unit. BASF will support with its expertise on floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) and with its own technology, contributing to sustainability by substantial energy savings compared with conventional technologies.
SHI is to evaluate the feasibility of installing the gas treatment technology onboard maritime vessels. The joint effort is in line with the strategy of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 40% by 2030.
“(W)e are pleased to expand our cooperation with SHI and support it in navigating through tightening carbon emission regulations,” Vasilios Galanos, Senior Vice President, Intermediates Asia Pacific, BASF, said. “We will join hands with our partner to sail towards a greener future.”
Youngkyu Ahn, head of shipbuilding sales engineering with Samsung Heavy Industries remarked that the onboard carbon capture system would help SHI gain a competitive advantage in a low carbon shipping market.
“BASF’s accelerator products make a substantial sustainability contribution in the value chain,” BASF executive Lawrence Loe added. “In this particular case, we have combined our knowhow and experience in both CO2 capture and motions study in offering a unique solution.”