Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Group Gains AiP for Low-Pressure LCO2 Carrier Design

Six Japanese shipping and shipbuilding companies, including Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, obtained Approval in Principle from ClassNK for a standardized low-pressure 42,000m³ liquefied CO2 carrier under the MILES-based design framework. The AiP followed a HAZID risk assessment of LCO2 handling operations and a safety-focused design policy. The companies aim to support stable domestic construction and supply of LCO2 carriers as CCS projects begin in Japan, with the approval presented at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok.

Key facts

Market context

Liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) is CO2 cooled and pressurized into a dense liquid so it can be moved in bulk by ship. It is used mainly in carbon capture and storage (CCS), where captured CO2 from industrial sites is collected, transported and injected into geological formations for permanent storage. Demand for dedicated carriers therefore depends on how quickly CCS projects move from planning to operation, and in Japan that build-out is still in its early stages. Standardized vessel designs can shorten engineering time and make construction more repeatable for shipyards and owners. Low-pressure containment designs generally operate at colder temperatures than pressurized alternatives, which shapes tank materials, insulation and handling procedures. Approval in principle from a classification society is an early technical milestone rather than a construction contract, but it signals that a design has passed a structured hazard review. For chemical buyers and investors, the main read-across is to CCS logistics capacity and to shipping and shipbuilding suppliers serving this emerging niche.

Source: official release on mhi.com. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.