Cost models for CO2 capture, liquefaction and shipping

The development of a maritime CO₂ transport chain enables flexible, scalable, and geographically independent CO₂ management solutions for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) projects. The liquid CO₂ (LCO₂) shipping value chain integrates onshore and offshore infrastructure to allow the collection, conditioning, temporary storage, and transportation of captured CO₂ to permanent sequestration sites or utilization industries. The configuration options illustrated below represent the principal operational pathways for transporting LCO₂ from emission sources to final sinks.

Model 1

Onshore CO₂ Capture, Conditioning,  Temporary Storage, and Shore to Ship Loading

  • CO₂ Emission Source and Capture

Industrial facilities—such as power plants, refineries, petrochemical units, steel mills, or cement plants—act as primary CO₂ emission points. Post-combustion, pre-combustion, or oxyfuel capture technologies are implemented to extract CO₂ from flue gas streams.

  • Onshore CO₂ Transport
    • Once captured, CO₂ is conveyed to a central liquefaction terminal via:
      • Pipeline networks,
      • Truck loading systems, or
      • Rail transport, depending on distance, volumetric flow, and project scale.
  • Liquefaction and Buffer Storage

The CO₂ is cooled and pressurized to achieve LCO₂ conditions (typically −50°C / 7 bar). Liquefaction units are followed by storage tanks that serve as operational buffers to ensure continuous supply to marine carriers.

  • Shore-to-Ship Loading

Marine loading arms or cryogenic flexible hoses enable the controlled transfer of LCO₂ from onshore tanks to purpose-built CO₂ carriers at export terminals.

 

Model 2

Offshore Capture and Intermediate Storage

For offshore oil & gas installations with embedded CO₂ capture systems, intermediate storage tanks temporarily hold liquefied CO₂ until marine carriers arrive. Loading operations typically occur through:

  • Bow-loading systems,
  • Stern-loading systems, or
  • Floating storage vessels.

This offshore option reduces pipeline requirements and enables distributed CO₂ collection from remote production fields.

Model 3

Marine Transportation of LCO₂

Specialized LCO₂ carriers transport cargo at controlled cryogenic conditions. Vessel sizes range from small shuttle carriers (~10,000 m³) to large-scale transport ships (>70,000 m³), depending on project routing, hub structure, and injection/storage rates. Maritime transport provides flexibility across increasing distances, especially where pipeline solutions are technically or economically constrained.