ClassNK has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a liquefied CO₂ carrier developed to support the Socket SPAR offshore injection facility. The certification confirms the vessel’s feasibility in terms of regulatory compliance and safety standards.

As carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives expand globally, Japan continues to face challenges due to its deep offshore waters, where traditional subsea pipeline-based CO₂ storage is often impractical.

To address this, the country is exploring innovative solutions under the Ministry of the Environment’s “Environmentally Friendly CCS Demonstration Project.”

One such solution is the floating offshore injection system known as the Socket SPAR, designed to enable CO₂ injection directly from transport vessels even in deep-sea conditions. ClassNK had earlier granted AiP for the Socket SPAR concept in 2023.

The newly approved liquefied CO₂ carrier has been developed by Shin Kurushima Sanoyas Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. under commission from Uyeno Transtech Ltd., a consortium member involved in the project.

ClassNK evaluated the vessel’s design in accordance with its “Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships,” including Part N, which incorporates the IGC Code governing ships carrying liquefied gases such as CO₂ and LNG in bulk. After confirming compliance with all required standards, the AiP was issued.

The approval also covers validation of test results conducted at specialized CO₂ facilities. These tests examined potential safety risks, including the possibility of blockages in safety relief valves and piping systems caused by CO₂ solidifying into dry ice under certain operating conditions.