Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) from Singapore will partner with Rotterdam-based Value Maritime to install carbon capture and filtering systems on MR tankers M/T Pacific Cobalt and M/T Pacific Gold, with an option to equip three more vessels. The installation of the first system is scheduled to be completed within 2022 with engineering and planning underway.

The 2020-built, 49,700-DWT sister vessels, will be fitted with Value Maritime‘s (VM’s) Filtree System – a prefabricated gas cleaning system that filters sulphur and 99 per cent of particulate matter. The system will include a Carbon Capture Module charging a CO2 battery onboard.

The charged CO2 battery will be discharged in port and subsequently used by CO2 customers, such as greenhouses, or injected into carbon sequestration networks. The discharged battery will be returned to the vessel for CO2 recharging. This “plug and play” approach allows vessels to capture up to forty per cent of CO2 emissions today, with the potential of exceeding ninety per cent in the future.

Also read: Value Maritime & Carbon Collectors explore carbon capture on MGO-fuelled tugs

Viable option today

‘Carbon capture technology was missing in our existing portfolio of emission lowering solutions, which today consists primarily of alternative marine fuels,’ says EPS CEO Cyril Ducau. ‘We believe that carbon capture technology holds significant promise for reducing emissions for existing and future ocean-going vessels. Coupled with alternative fuels, biofuels and other solutions, carbon capture is a crucial step in accelerating the shipping industry’s decarbonisation efforts ahead of IMO targets. By equipping our tankers with VM’s systems, we hope to prove to the industry that carbon capture is a viable and scalable option available right now.’

Maarten Lodewijks, Co-Founder & Director – Value Maritime adds: ‘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 EPS is a dream come true. Together, we are making sustainable shipping and emission reduction for this segment no longer a pipe-dream. It’s happening today.’

Also read: Value Maritime to install CO2 capture and storage on container ship Nordica

Filtree System

In addition to its carbon capture capabilities, 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.

Installation on board M/T Pacific Cobalt is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, while the installation on board M/T Pacific Gold is scheduled to be completed by the end of Q1 2023.

In addition to the retrofits, EPS and VM are exploring future collaboration opportunities, such as deploying the Filtree System on board EPS newbuilds, including a new generation of containerships.