Europe is poised to take a significant leap forward in its fight against climate change with the christening and launch of its first-ever offshore carbon dioxide (CO2) carrier vessel today, Wednesday, May 14. The monumental ship, a result of a groundbreaking collaboration between global chemical and energy giant INEOS Energy and Dutch shipowner Wagenborg Offshore, was unveiled at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the north of the Netherlands. This launch marks a pivotal moment for carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives across the continent.

The purpose-built vessel, aptly named Greensand Future, is engineered to transport a staggering 400,000 tons of liquefied CO2 annually from land-based industrial sites to permanent storage reservoirs located deep beneath the Danish North Sea. This ambitious undertaking is central to Project Greensand, a pioneering Danish-led initiative striving to establish the European Union’s first complete, full-scale carbon capture and storage value chain.

The Greensand Future's ultimate destination is the Nini West platform, situated off the Danish coast. Here, the liquefied CO2 will be injected 1,800 meters below the seabed into geological formations that have securely contained hydrocarbons for millions of years. This method of geological storage is considered a safe and permanent solution for isolating captured carbon emissions, preventing their release into the atmosphere.

INEOS highlighted the specialized engineering of the carrier to address the unique challenges associated with transporting liquefied CO2. The vessel is equipped with advanced onboard cooling and pressure control systems, ensuring the safe and efficient transit of the captured emissions. Built entirely in the Netherlands, it adheres to the highest safety and environmental standards.

Mads Gade, CEO of INEOS Energy Europe, lauded the vessel's construction as a testament to European innovation and engineering prowess. He emphasized its crucial role in realizing the team's vision of creating the EU's inaugural large-scale CO2 storage facility. "With the carrier now entering its next construction phase, Greensand are getting closer to completing Europe’s first full CCS value chain," Gade stated.

Edwin de Vries, director of Wagenborg Offshore, underscored the significance of the project for the maritime industry in the northern Netherlands. "The vessel is the first of its kind made in the EU and shows how the maritime industry in the North of the Netherlands can contribute to the energy transition," he asserted.

Project Greensand gained significant momentum following a Final Investment Decision in December 2024 to commence CO2 storage operations at the Nini Field. The initial phase aims for the permanent sequestration of 400,000 tons of CO2 per year, with ambitious plans to scale up capacity to eight million tons annually by 2030. The project is backed by an expected investment exceeding USD 150 million, which will support the development of the entire Greensand CCS value chain and its long-term storage capabilities.