Pacific Gold will be retrofitted with a CCS system by 2023 (source: EPS)
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) signed a definitive agreement with Rotterdam-based Value Maritime to install carbon capture and filtering systems on MR tankers Pacific Cobalt and Pacific Gold, with an option to equip three more vessels
When complete, these will be among the largest oceangoing vessels fitted with carbon-capture technology. The installation of the first system aboard Pacific Cobalt is scheduled to be completed this year, with engineering and planning underway.
The 2020-built, 49,700-dwt sister vessels will be fitted with Value Maritime’s Filtree system – a prefabricated gas cleaning system that filters sulphur and 99% of particulate matter.
The system will include a carbon-capture module charging a CO2 battery on board. The charged CO2 battery will be discharged in port and subsequently used by customers. The discharged battery will be returned to the vessel to be recharged. The Filtree system also removes oil residue and particulate matter from the wash water, ensuring its PH value is neutralised and contributes to reducing the acidification of seawater.
EPS chief executive Cyril Ducau stated, “Partnering with Value Maritime is a major step forward for EPS and the industry’s energy transition. Carbon-capture technology was missing in our existing portfolio of emissions-lowering solutions, which today consists primarily of alternative marine fuels. We believe carbon-capture technology holds significant promise for reducing emissions for existing and future oceangoing vessels.”
Value Maritime co-founder and director Maarten Lodewijks said, “Bringing our filtering and carbon-capture technology to the tanker market has been a goal of ours from the very beginning. Realising this vision with forward-thinking partners like Eastern Pacific Shipping is a dream come true. Together, we are making sustainable shipping and emissions reduction for this segment no longer a pipe-dream. It’s happening today, and we couldn’t be prouder that it’s happening with EPS.”
The installation aboard Pacific Gold is scheduled to be completed by the end of Q1 2023.
In addition to the retrofits, EPS and Value Maritime are exploring future collaboration opportunities, such as deploying the Filtree system on board EPS newbuilds, including a new generation of container ships.
