Project COLOSSUS (Carbon capture, OffLoading, Onshore Storage, Utilisation or Sequestration​​)

A critical question surrounding onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology is the proper accounting of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions after the emissions are successfully captured, stored, offloaded, and eventually utilised or sequestered.

Although life cycle assessment (LCA) for onshore carbon capture technologies exist, such assessments have not been done on the whole of value chain.

The case for the study

Proposals that call for OCCS to be included in the IMO regulatory framework were tabled at MEPC81; an intercessional correspondence group will be established to develop one such workplan. 

MEPC has additionally tasked another working group to consider the articulation of LCA guidelines for OCCS.

Further, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), considers OCCS a means to reduce emissions. Vessels utilising OCCS may be able to surrender fewer allowances, as long as the emissions can be certified captured and permanently utilised or sequestered per specification.

Scope of the study

This 6-month study aims to evaluate the life cycle of GHG emissions including the OCCS system, offloading, onshore/ floating storage, distribution, and its utilisation/ sequestration pathways.

The scope of the study aims to establish the following against a baseline without OCCS: 

• The total value chain CO₂ emissions associated with adopting OCCS, including the offloading and fate of the captured CO₂. 
  
  
• Estimate the carbon abatement cost considering different utilisation pathways, such as e-fuels synthesis (e.g., e-methanol, synthetic LNG), green cement production, and sequestration.