ClassNK Publishes Manual on Onboard Carbon Capture Systems
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Classification society ClassNK has published a new manual titled Framework for the Implementation of Onboard Carbon Capture Systems, part of its series of manuals on the assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. The document aims to provide practical guidance for shipowners, operators and other stakeholders considering the adoption of onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS), helping them understand the factors involved in this type of project and facilitating dialogue among the parties involved.
What the Manual Covers
According to the document, the adoption of OCCS requires consideration of the entire value chain, from onboard CO2 capture through to its final storage or treatment, as well as the mechanisms needed to quantify and verify emission reductions. This includes monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems and chain of custody (CoC) systems to manage captured CO2 and its associated data. The manual brings together these technical, infrastructure, regulatory and emissions-assessment aspects to support discussions among stakeholders and the analysis of specific OCCS projects.
Industry Context
The maritime industry has been implementing various measures to reduce GHG emissions, including operational improvements, energy efficiency technologies and the transition to alternative fuels. Within this context, onboard CO2 capture—the process by which CO2 from exhaust gas is captured, processed and temporarily stored on board—has gained prominence, with demonstration projects and discussions on regulatory frameworks underway at the international level.
Beyond the Installed System
Sources note that for the use of OCCS to translate into an actual reduction in emissions, the onboard equipment alone is not enough: pathways must be secured for the offloading, transport, storage, capture or utilization of CO2, together with mechanisms to quantify and verify those reductions. Since these aspects span technological, infrastructure, regulatory and emissions-assessment domains, a comprehensive project perspective becomes necessary.
ClassNK's Prior Experience
Through the development of its guidelines for onboard CO2 capture and storage systems, ClassNK has worked to establish technical and safety requirements, building up knowledge through demonstration projects and experience across various GHG-related certification services. Drawing on this knowledge, the new manual was developed to help stakeholders gain a comprehensive view of the relevant aspects of their OCCS projects.
