Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hokkaido Electric Power Company (HEPCO) to explore the deployment of onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technologies in maritime transport. 

The agreement sets out a joint study focused on developing a demonstration project in Tomakomai.

The initiative reflects growing interest in OCCS as a pathway to reduce emissions from international shipping, a sector where decarbonization options remain limited. The technology captures carbon dioxide directly from a vessel’s exhaust, liquefies it, and stores it onboard for later handling onshore.

Building a Maritime Carbon Value Chain

The partners will conduct a three-year study through fiscal year 2028, focusing on the design and operation of onboard capture systems. The demonstration equipment is expected to be installed on the Pirika Moshiri Maru, a coal carrier owned by NYK and operated for HEPCO.

In addition to onboard systems, the study will examine how captured CO2 can be offloaded, transported, and potentially reused or stored. 

These downstream considerations are seen as critical to enabling large-scale deployment of OCCS, particularly in establishing integrated carbon management value chains.

Relevant: Japan Approves Offshore Carbon Storage Exploration Near Chiba

Tomakomai has been selected due to its existing role in Japan’s carbon capture and storage efforts, with prior large-scale demonstration projects and supporting infrastructure already in place. This makes it a suitable testbed for advancing maritime carbon capture solutions.

By combining NYK’s shipping expertise with HEPCO’s experience in carbon management, the collaboration aims to address both technical and operational challenges associated with OCCS. The partners intend to use the findings to inform future deployment strategies and support wider adoption across the shipping sector.

As regulatory pressure increases on maritime emissions, initiatives like this highlight the role of onboard capture technologies as part of a broader portfolio of decarbonization solutions.

Read more: South Korea Targets IMO Rules With New Onboard Carbon Capture Initiative