Northern Lights' first LCO2 carrier nearing delivery

Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies' joint venture company Northern Lights will soon take delivery of a new liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) of China.

Northern Pioneer is the first ship in a series of LCO2 carriers ordered by Northern Lights in 2021. Sister ship Northern Pathfinder is still under construction at DSIC while another two vessels from the same series will be built by Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore.

The newbuild will be registered in Norway and managed by Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line). Construction was completed in compliance with DNV class rules.

The ship has a length of 130 metres, a beam of 21 metres, and a total cargo capacity of 7,500 cubic metres. The cargo tanks will transport LCO2 at -35 degrees Celsius and a maximum pressure of 19 bar(g).

The engines will run primarily on LNG. Future emissions-reducing features will include wind-assisted propulsion and air lubrication.