Europe is set to mark a significant milestone in its carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives with the upcoming launch of its first offshore CO₂ carrier. The vessel, constructed at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the Netherlands, is scheduled for christening and launch on May 14, 2025.
Commissioned by INEOS Energy Europe in collaboration with Royal Wagenborg, the ship is a pivotal component of Project Greensand—the European Union’s inaugural full-scale CCS value chain. Designed to transport liquefied CO₂ from onshore capture sites to offshore storage facilities, the carrier will operate regular routes from Port Esbjerg in Denmark to the Nini West platform in the Danish North Sea. There, the CO₂ will be injected approximately 1,800 meters beneath the seabed into the Nini reservoir for permanent storage.
The vessel is based on Wagenborg’s EasyMax design, adapted specifically for CO₂ transportation. Its development signifies a major advancement in maritime decarbonization and underscores the innovative capabilities of the northern Dutch shipbuilding industry. The construction of all ship sections has been successfully completed, and the vessel is now entering its final construction phase, which includes outfitting, commissioning, and sea trials.
Project Greensand aims to commence permanent CO₂ storage operations by late 2025 or early 2026, with an initial target of 400,000 tonnes annually and plans to scale up to 8 million tonnes per year by 2030.
The launch of this CO₂ carrier represents a significant step forward in Europe’s efforts to mitigate climate change through innovative CCS solutions.
