At Yangshan Port in Shanghai, the world’s first-ever ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of liquefied carbon dioxide (CO₂) was successfully completed—marking a major milestone in maritime carbon logistics.
The operation involved the Ever Top, a 13,800 TEU container vessel owned by Evergreen, originally built in 2014 and retrofitted in 2024 with an onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) system. While docked at the Shengdong terminal, the ship transferred captured CO₂ to the specialized barge Dejin—a pivotal moment that could transform carbon handling across the shipping sector.
The OCCS system, developed by the Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute under China State Shipbuilding Corporation, captures over 80% of the vessel’s CO₂ emissions with 99.9% purity. The technology allows for the liquefaction and maritime transport of CO₂ without the need for fixed port infrastructure, making offloading more flexible and accessible.
The estimated retrofit cost is around $10 million—less than half the cost of switching to methanol or ammonia. Notably, the captured CO₂ is not just stored or sequestered—it is sold on industrial markets, with potential revenues of up to $8 million per vessel per year.
A major challenge for onboard carbon capture has been offloading the gas at port. The STS (ship-to-ship) transfer approach offers a practical workaround, enabling mid-voyage CO₂ offloads or near-port transfers using smaller, more maneuverable carriers capable of reaching consumption markets directly.
This breakthrough showcases a viable, scalable decarbonization solution for the shipping industry and paves the way for a more sustainable maritime future.
