Royal Wagenborg and INEOS Energy launched and named the first European built offshore CO2 carrier to enable carbon capture storage across Europe on 14 May. The launching and naming of the Carbon Destroyer 1 marks a major breakthrough for Project Greensand and carbon capture and storage across the EU.
Lady Catherine Ratcliffe, as Godmother of the vessel, performed the traditional naming ceremony, to launch the carrier at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the Netherlands, as part of a close partnership between Royal Wagenborg and INEOS Energy.
‘Carbon destroyer 1 will transport captured CO2 from across Europe, creating a virtual pipeline between the point of capture and permanent storage deep beneath the sea bed of the North Sea,’ says Mads Weng Gade, CEO of INEOS Energy Europe. ‘The delivery of the first dedicated offshore CO2 carrier is a prerequisite for commercial scale CCS across the continent.’
The vessel is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025 or early 2026 – when Project Greensand is due to begin permanent commercial scale CO2 storage operations.
Also read: INEOS and Royal Wagenborg to build EasyMax CO2 carrier
Liquefied CO2
Designed for the safe and efficient transport of liquefied CO2, the newly launched vessel will play a crucial role in the Greensand project in the Danish North Sea, led by INEOS Energy. The CO2 for storage will come from a bio-gas plant in Denmark, from where it will be transported to Esbjerg on the Danish west coast for loading aboard the vessel before proceeding to the Greensand storage site in the Danish North Sea.
This pioneering ship — developed in close cooperation with partners in the energy and shipbuilding sectors — is the first of its kind to be built entirely in Europe and tailored specifically for offshore CCS operations.
‘This launch is a defining moment for Wagenborg,’ says Egbert Vuursteen, CEO Royal Wagenborg. ‘It combines over a century of maritime experience with a forward-looking vision of sustainability. As the first European-built offshore CO2 carrier, this vessel positions us — and our partners — at the forefront of the energy transition in Europe.’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, adds: ‘The launch of Carbon Destroyer 1 is an important next step for carbon capture and storage in Europe. We are demonstrating that carbon storage is commercially viable and a far better way to decarbonise Europe without its deindustialisation.’
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Maritime ecosystem
Based on the proven EasyMax design, the ship features a cargo capacity of approximately 5000 tonnes of liquefied CO2 and meets the highest standards for safety, fuel efficiency, and low emissions. Its innovative design and DP2 capabilities ensures it can operate reliably and year-round under various offshore conditions, while its reduced environmental footprint supports Wagenborg’s long-term commitment to greener shipping solutions. The groundbreaking CO2 carrier is another example of the importance of the maritime cluster here in the Northern Netherlands.
Edwin de Vries, Director Wagenborg Offshore, concludes: ‘All available knowledge, the craftsmanship, the innovation coming from the shipyard, all suppliers and partners – it rivals the very best globally. We should be proud. And we should continue to invest in this maritime ecosystem. Because the challenges ahead – from energy transition to digitalisation – will demand even more cooperation and creativity.’
Photos by Wagenborg.
Also read: Wagenborg reveals next-gen EasyMax and orders six
