6 companies received ClassNK approval for the design of a standard low-pressure LCO2 carrier. The ceremony was held in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Gastech 2026 venue.
6 companies received approval from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for the standard design of a low-pressure LCO2 carrier. The vessel is in the 42,000-cubic-meter class, and the approval was based on a safety design policy established through risk assessments, including HAZID. The approval is positioned as the first concrete outcome of the MILES framework and will provide a foundation for future domestic construction and standardization.
The group comprises Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and MILES. Based on a memorandum of understanding announced on 1 December 2025, the companies have been advancing the standard design framework. The approval will promote the development of a common design platform for LCO2 carriers and alternative-fuel vessels.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has positioned this initiative as a pillar of its environmental strategy under BLUE ACTION 2035 and has entered into long-term charter contracts for 2 vessels for the Northern Lights project. The vessels are scheduled to begin CO2 transport services around 2028 and are expected to contribute to the expansion of CCS businesses in Japan and the development of a CO2 value chain.
The 6 companies will continue to actively promote CCS-related businesses in line with growing demand for CO2 transport and plan to address demand for maritime CO2 transportation.