It has been announced that Mitsui O.S.K Lines is planning to utilise the Filtree onboard Co2 capture systems, for its LR1 product tanker Nexus Victoria (75,000 DWT class).

This innovative system was created by Value Maritime, who are a Dutch emission reduction technology company and this specific technology, also includes a SOx scrubber.

The installation of this system is incredibly significant, as it will be the first time that a carbon capture system will have been commercially installed onboard a vessel by a Japanese operator. It has been planned that the system will be installed at some point around the end of 2024.

The system that will be installed is called ‘The Filtree System’ and it operates through a scrubber function, which effectively removes 99% of sulfur oxides (Sox) as well as, particulate matter (PM) which is contained in exhaust gases. The system also includes a CCS function which operates through separating and recovering an estimated 10% of carbon dioxide that is produced from exhaust emissions. The system uses a specific chemical substance, which absorbs and captures the Co2 exhaust gases that are generated onboard the vessel, through reacting the gases with this chemical substance. Once ashore, the chemical is discharged and the Co2 which is separated via heat, is then able to be supplied to greenhouses, or synthetic fuel companies or other end users. The Co2 can then be applied to somewhere that it can be put to good use.

It is hoped that this new Filtree System method will align with MOL Group’s “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan and it will help the company to achieve their net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050. It has also been stated that this new system will be an excellent method for reaching carbon neutralisation within the shipping industry.

MOL and VM commented that they will ‘continue working toward the realisation of a carbon-neutral society by reducing GHG emissions from vessels and building a CO2 capture value chain.’