The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has given in-principle support to recognising carbon mineralisation as a form of permanent carbon storage for shipping, according to Splash247. The decision, taken during the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) meeting, could open a new pathway for onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) systems, allowing shipowners to convert captured CO₂ into stable minerals rather than relying solely on geological storage.
The Mineralisation Proposal
The proposal was led by Shanghai Qiyao Technology Group, a Chinese company, and submitted during MEPC 84, Splash247 reported. The IMO working group welcomed two submissions from Qiyao and its partners. One submission outlined the technical and environmental case for recognising mineralisation as equivalent to permanent storage; the second presented data from a full-chain demonstration project covering onboard capture, ship-to-ship transfer of liquid CO₂, land transportation and final mineralisation.
Overcoming Storage Challenges
Supporters argue that mineralisation could overcome one of the biggest challenges facing OCCS adoption: the lack of suitable geological storage infrastructure, according to Splash247. Conventional carbon capture systems rely on transporting captured CO₂ to dedicated storage sites, a process that can be expensive and logistically challenging. Mineralisation offers an alternative by transforming the carbon into stable carbonate products with potential commercial value.
| Aspect | Conventional Storage | Mineralisation (Proposed) |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Transport CO₂ to dedicated geological storage sites | Convert captured CO₂ into stable calcium carbonate |
| Challenge | Expensive and logistically challenging | Alternative with potential commercial value |
| Storage permanence | Permanent (if site suitable) | Permanent (via mineralisation) |
Industry Implications
“We see this IMO attention as an important step,” the head of Qiyao’s OCCS team said, as quoted by Splash247. “Closing the loop from shipboard capture to onshore mineralisation can make carbon accounting more practical and economically attractive for the industry.”
The recognition of mineralisation could provide shipowners with a viable compliance route under future IMO carbon regulations, potentially reducing the cost of retrofitting vessels with OCCS systems, according to Splash247.
Demonstration Project
Shanghai Qiyao has already installed a full-scale onboard carbon capture system aboard a 14,000 TEU containership, according to Splash247. The company also completed what it described as the world’s first ship-to-ship transfer of captured liquid CO₂ for subsequent mineralisation ashore. This demonstration covers the entire chain from capture to permanent storage via mineralisation.
Watch List
- Further IMO decisions: The in-principle support at MEPC 84 is a preliminary step. Formal guidelines and recognition criteria will need to be developed.
- Scaling of mineralisation infrastructure: Commercial viability will depend on the availability of onshore facilities capable of processing captured CO₂ into carbonate products.
- Carrier adoption: Early movers like Shanghai Qiyao may influence other shipping lines to invest in OCCS technology, Splash247 suggested.
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