Testing and Verification of OCCS Actual Performance and Commercial Feasibility
Samsung Heavy Industries announced on July 18th that it, along with its partners HMM, Panasia, and the Korean Register of Shipping (KR), has successfully verified an Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) system. Since July of last year, the collaborating companies installed an amine absorption-based OCCS system on a 2200 TEU HMM container ship—marking the first such trial on a commercially operating vessel in Korea—and conducted monthly performance verification work.
This verification aimed to confirm the practical application effectiveness and commercial feasibility of OCCS technology, highlighting its potential within the decarbonization value chain connecting the shipbuilding, shipping, and energy sectors. The system utilizes waste heat generated during ship operation for carbon dioxide capture and storage, minimizing additional energy consumption and enhancing cost-effectiveness.
The liquid carbon dioxide captured in January and May of this year, with a purity exceeding 99.9%, has been used as a raw material for producing eco-friendly methanol, which can be used as ship fuel. Samsung Heavy Industries commented that this goes beyond simple underground storage of liquid CO2 and represents a landmark case of carbon resource utilization.
Industry experts also pointed out that to accelerate the commercialization of OCCS, the urgent need is to establish supporting onshore processing facilities and a relevant legal framework. Lee Dong-yeon, Vice President of the Ship & Ocean Research Institute at Samsung Heavy Industries, stated: “OCCS will become an energy carrier for producing eco-friendly fuels and play a key role in achieving net-zero emissions for future ships,” and emphasized, “We will strive to lead the OCCS market through cross-industry collaboration among shipbuilding, shipping, and equipment industries.”
Source: Korea Business Weekly
