SDARI's 85,000 CBM LNG Dual-Fuel Liquefied CO₂ Carrier Design Receives AiP from Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to an LNG dual-fuel 85,000 CBM liquefied CO₂ carrier developed by CSSC Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), recognizing an innovative design developed for the transportation of liquefied carbon dioxide.

The vessel adopts an advanced LNG dual-fuel propulsion and power system, delivering strong environmental performance, reduced carbon emissions and enhanced operational efficiency. The design complies with the latest IMO statutory regulations, applicable classification requirements and evolving decarbonization objectives.

A key feature of the vessel is its low-pressure cargo containment system, specifically tailored for liquefied CO₂ transportation. The optimized containment configuration helps reduce structural stress and manufacturing complexity while mitigating the risks associated with dry ice formation, two-phase flow fluctuations and pressure surges during cargo operations. This contributes to enhanced safety, operational stability and transportation efficiency under a wide range of marine operating conditions.

By integrating low-carbon propulsion with high-reliability low-pressure cargo handling technology, the design delivers advantages in energy efficiency, emissions reduction, operational safety and cargo adaptability. The vessel concept has been developed to support the growing demand for liquefied CO₂ transportation within the carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) value chain.

The design has been developed in accordance with the latest requirements of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), relevant IMO environmental regulations and applicable classification requirements. It provides a mature, safe and compliant technical solution for the large-scale and cost-effective marine transportation of liquefied CO₂, supporting the development of the CCUS industry.