Wärtsilä has officially launched its innovative carbon capture solution (CCS) for the maritime industry, marking a significant milestone in efforts to decarbonize shipping. This breakthrough technology is demonstrated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from vessels by up to 70 percent, providing ship owners with an essential tool to comply with tightening environmental regulations.
Capturing CO2 from exhaust systems will greatly contribute to the industry’s objectives aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 emissions reduction goal. Håkan Agnevall, President and CEO of Wärtsilä, noted that the CCS is a transformative development for the maritime sector.
He highlighted the strong interest from the market in this solution, emphasizing its synergy with ongoing initiatives aimed at significantly cutting emissions and preventing stranded assets ahead of net-zero targets. The rollout comes after the successful deployment of the first full-scale CCS installation aboard Solvang ASA’s Clipper Eris, which captures emissions from all exhaust sources on the vessel.
Earlier this year, Wärtsilä’s technology began operation on the 21,000 m3 ethylene carrier, aiding Solvang ASA in its pursuit of lower carbon emissions and enhanced sustainability in maritime operations. Clipper Eris was well-suited for this project due to its existing Wärtsilä systems, including exhaust scrubbers.
Solvang ASA’s CEO Edvin Endresen emphasized that CCS offers a vital shortcut in achieving maritime sustainability. He lauded the collaboration with Wärtsilä as an essential partnership in adapting new clean technologies to their deep-sea fleet.
Since 2019, Wärtsilä has been developing this technology and currently operates a research facility in Norway, capable of capturing 10 tonnes of CO2 daily. The company predicts that its CCS will incur a carbon capture cost between €50 and €70 per metric ton of CO2.
Wärtsilä’s CCS technology is intended for various vessel types and can be easily integrated with existing emission reduction technologies, assuring significant decarbonization benefits for ship owners and operators while reaffirming the company’s leadership in the marine sector.