HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (HD KSOE) announced on the 30th that it has recently signed a contract with Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) to build two 12,000-cubic-meter liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carriers.

The vessels will measure 150 meters in length, 28 meters in width, and 15 meters in height. Construction will be carried out at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with delivery to the shipowner scheduled sequentially from the second half of 2029.

The ships are the world’s largest strong-pressure liquefied carbon dioxide carriers. They feature a multi-purpose cargo handling system capable of safely transporting not only liquefied CO₂ but also liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), enhancing operational flexibility. Each vessel will be equipped with an eco-friendly LNG dual-fuel propulsion engine, significantly reducing pollutant emissions during operation.

To ensure stable performance in harsh environments, the vessels will incorporate Ice Class design technology, enabling safe navigation in polar and cold regions such as the North Sea. In addition, bow and stern thrusters will be installed to improve maneuverability during port entry and departure.

Upon delivery, the ships will be deployed in carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects operated by the Northern Lights joint venture, established by Shell, TotalEnergies, and Equinor. The Northern Lights project is the world’s first cross-border commercial CCS service, transporting carbon dioxide captured across Europe to onshore terminals in Norway before permanently storing it beneath the seabed of the North Sea.