Samsung Heavy Industries announced on July 18 that it has successfully completed a pilot demonstration of the Onboard Carbon Capture & Storage (OCCS) system, developed in collaboration with HMM, Panasia, and Korea Register (KR).
The demonstration involved installing Korea’s first ammonia-based OCCS on a running HMM 2,200 TEU container ship last July. Over the course of about a year, monthly performance validations confirmed both the system’s effectiveness and its potential for commercialization.
This innovative technology captures and stores carbon dioxide by utilizing waste heat generated during vessel operation, minimizing energy consumption while maximizing economic efficiency. The system’s ability to leverage existing ship heat sources represents a significant advancement in sustainable shipping technology.
In addition, in January and May of this year, the captured high-purity (over 99.9%) liquefied CO2 was used as feedstock for producing methanol, a cleaner marine fuel. This practical example of “carbon utilization” goes beyond simple underground storage, indicating a resourceful approach to carbon management.
This achievement marks an important milestone for the shipbuilding, shipping, and equipment industries working together to develop decarbonization technologies and chart a pathway toward net-zero emissions in the maritime sector. However, industry insiders note that establishing land-based CO2 infrastructure and refining legal and regulatory frameworks are urgent tasks to support widespread implementation.
Lee Dong-yeon, Vice President and Director of Samsung Heavy Industries’ Shipbuilding Research Institute, stated, “The OCCS technology could become a key energy source for producing eco-friendly fuels in the future and play a crucial role in achieving carbon-neutral ships. We will work closely across the shipbuilding, shipping, and equipment sectors to lead the OCCS market and accelerate maritime decarbonization.”
