|
May 2, 2025
• The launch and naming of "Carbon Destroyer 1" marks a major breakthrough for Project Greensand and Carbon Capture and Storage across the EU.
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, says: "The launch of Carbon Destroyer 1 is an important next step for Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe. We are demonstrating that Carbon Storage is commercially viable and a far better way to decarbonise Europe without its deindustrialisation."
• Egbert Vuursteen, CEO of Wagenborg, says: "This launch is a defining moment for Wagenborg. It combines over a century of maritime experience with a forward-looking vision of sustainability. As the first European-built offshore CO2 carrier, this vessel positions us - and our partners - at the forefront of the energy transition in Europe."
Image by INEOS
|
|
Lady Catherine Ratcliffe, as Godmother of the vessel, performed the traditional naming ceremony, to launch the carrier at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the Netherlands, as part of a close partnership between Royal Wagenborg and INEOS Energy.
Maritime innovation meets climate action
The Carbon Destroyer 1 carrier is based on Wagenborg’s EasyMax design and has been specially adapted for handling CO2 under pressure and at low temperatures. It is built to the highest safety and environmental standards, aligning with maritime sustainability goals.
Through Project Greensand, Denmark is positioning itself as a hub for CO2 storage in Europe, and Carbon Destroyer 1 will connect emitters with permanent, commercial scale offshore CO2 storage.
Mads Weng Gade, CEO of INEOS Energy Europe, says: "Carbon destroyer 1 will transport captured CO2 from across Europe, creating a virtual pipeline between the point of capture and permanent storage deep beneath the seabed of the North Sea. The delivery of the first dedicated offshore CO2 carrier is a prerequisite for commercial scale CCS across the continent."
The vessel is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025 or early 2026 - when Project Greensand’s is due to begin permanent commercial scale CO2 storage operations.
New CO2 terminal in Esbjerg will serve as key onshore hub
The vessel will operate between the Port of Esbjerg in Denmark and the Nini West offshore platform.
In Port of Esbjerg construction is currently underway on a new CO2 terminal, which will serve as the onshore hub for receiving, storing, and loading liquefied CO2 onto the vessel.
Once established, the terminal will include six large storage tanks and essential infrastructure to support continuous and scalable CO2 transport to the offshore storage site.
Captured CO2 - initially from Danish biogas plants - will be delivered to the terminal by truck, temporarily stored, and then transferred to Carbon Destroyer 1. From there, the vessel will sail to the Nini Field, where the CO2 will be injected over 1,800 metres beneath the seabed into depleted oil reservoirs that have been certified for safe, long-term storage.
About Greensand Future:
The companies behind Greensand are the current holders of the storage license (IRIS) - INEOS Energy Denmark, Harbour Energy, and Nordsofonden, which is the Danish state’s subsurface company. Greensand also collaborates with a range of partners to ensure that CO2 is captured, transported, and stored safely and permanently in the North Sea’s subsurface.
Initially, Greensand Future aims to capture, transport, and store 400,000 tons of CO2 per year, with the potential to gradually increase storage capacity towards 2030. As captured CO2 volumes rise, there is potential for safe and permanent storage of up to 8,000,000 tons of CO2 annually.
On March 8, 2023, the INEOS-led pilot project Greensand became the first in the world to transport CO2 across international borders for safe and permanent offshore storage as part of climate change mitigation efforts. This milestone was marked when His Majesty King Frederik of Denmark officially initiated the first CO2 storage at the Nini Field during the pilot phase of Project Greensand. Greensand Future is funded by the Innovation Fund. Learn more about Greensand on the official website: https://greensandfuture.com/
About Royal Wagenborg
Founded in 1898, Royal Wagenborg is a global maritime logistics family-business. With 3,000 professionals and an extensive fleet on both land and sea, we deliver safe and sustainable logistic solutions. With confidence, we proudly walk the extra mile to deliver on our promises, whatever the challenge. Our people are the pillar of strength for our customers, each other, the environment and the generations to come. https://www.wagenborg.com/
About INEOS
INEOS is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products. In 25 years, the Company has grown into a global player: its production network spans 183 sites in 26 countries throughout the world employing more than 26,000 people. INEOS Energy operates the Siri field area and the South Arne and the Solsort in Denmark. INEOS operates the leading carbon storage project in Denmark - Project Greensand - which is a pioneering carbon capture and storage CCS) initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 and securely storing it in depleted oil and gas fields in the North Sea. https://www.ineos.com/
About Harbour Energy
Since its creation in 2014, Harbour has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse independent oil and gas companies. Today, Harbour has significant production in Norway, the UK, Germany, Argentina and North Africa. Harbour benefits from competitive operating costs and resilient margins, and a broad set of growth options including near-infrastructure opportunities in Norway, unconventional scalable opportunities in Argentina and conventional offshore projects in Mexico and Indonesia. With low GHG emissions intensity and a leading CO2 storage position in Europe, Harbour remains committed to producing oil and gas safely and responsibly to help meet the world’s energy needs. Harbour is headquartered in London with approximately 5,000 staff and contractors across its operations and offices. https://www.harbourenergy.com/
About Nordsofonden
Nordsofonden is the Danish state company tasked with generating value for Danish society by optimising the potential of Denmark’s subsurface assets. Nordsofonden stands on two pillars; production of oil & gas, thereby helping ensure supplies of energy and raw materials, whilst at the same time participating in all licenses for underground carbon storage, where Nordsofonden works to ensure reduction of emissions to the atmosphere.
Greensand Future is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. https://eng.nordsoefonden.dk/
INEOS press release
