The Northern Lights Joint Venture (JV) has announced the successful delivery of the Northern Pathfinder, a 7,500-cubic-meter-capacity vessel. This 130-meter long vessel, the second one in four custom-designed to carry liquefied CO2, was built at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC) in China.Once operational, Northern Pathfinder will be part of the world’s largest CO2 shipping fleet, registered in Norway and operated by K LINE.
Expanding CO2 Transport Fleet to Combat Climate Change
The Northern Pathfinder follows the delivery of the first LCO2 carrier, the Northern Pioneer, in November 2024. Northern Lights JV depends on these new vessels to transport liquefied CO2 from European industrial sites to Øygarden, Norway. This initiative is part of Norway’s Longship project, advancing global carbon reduction efforts by storing CO2 beneath the North Sea.
New Green Technologies for Environmental Sustainability
The two ships of the Northern Lights have high-end LNG-powered propulsion, along with Norsepower’s wind-assisted propulsion system and an air lubrication technology on both. This combination will reduce the vessels’ carbon footprint by 34 percent as compared to conventional ships using marine fuels.
The ships will undergo efficiency optimization and testing during their repositioning voyage from China to Norway.
Also read: TES Advances Green Energy Hub in Wilhelmshaven with New CO2 Export Terminal
First Operational Testing and Commissioning
Once in Norway, Northern Pathfinder and Northern Pioneer will start mechanical commissioning at Øygarden’s receiving terminal. The commissioning process will include Brevik terminal, serving Heidelberg Materials, the first operational customer for the project. Additionally, ship and shore staff will conduct interface training to ensure smooth operations during the transition to full-scale activities.
A key development in this project is Yara International signing the commercial agreement, marking the world’s first cross-border CO2 transportation and storage deal. Under this agreement, the project will ship liquefied CO2 to the Øygarden terminal, where it will travel via pipeline to an offshore storage location below the seabed in the North Sea, ensuring permanent sequestration.
The Longship project is one of Europe’s most ambitious carbon capture and storage initiatives. The project’s Phase 1, which can inject up to 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually, has booked all capacity. Northern Lights JV plans to expand CO2 transport and storage capacity to meet rising demand and reduce industrial emissions.