Shanghai Tests First Ship-to-Ship CO₂ Transfer from Containership

The Port of Shanghai (LOCODE: CNSHA) has completed the first demonstration of a ship-to-ship transfer of liquefied CO₂ from a large Evergreen container ship during its operations. Chinese authorities describe the ship-to-ship transfer as a significant step forward in managing captured CO₂ from in-service ships to meet emissions regulations.

Onboard System Captures Majority of CO₂ Emissions

The demonstration was conducted on June 19 at Yangshan Deepwater Port’s Shengdong Terminal (LOCODE: CNYSA), where the container ship Ever Top (IMO: 9665619) was docked for container handling.

In 2024, the vessel was retrofitted by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) with an absorption module, a regeneration module, compression refrigeration, and storage. The system enables the 152,300 DWT Ever Top (IMO: 9665619) to capture more than 80 percent of its onboard CO₂ emissions with high purity, according to reports.

One of the challenges to making shipboard CO₂ capture economical and practical is the offloading and storage component. Until now, the captured CO₂ has been offloaded to shore via trucks. In May 2024, a tank was offloaded from the vessel. This approach is less efficient and can only be carried out at specific locations.

The barge vessel De Jin (IMO: 9191979) was positioned alongside the docked Ever Top for the CO₂ transfer. Chinese authorities report it was the first ship-to-ship transfer from a CO₂ capture system. Officials highlight that ship-to-ship transfers offer higher capacity than trucks and greater flexibility in where CO₂ can be offloaded. They report that using STS helps eliminate logistical bottlenecks and is significantly more cost-effective than transporting the captured CO₂ by land.

Next Steps for Stored CO₂

Once the CO₂ is captured from the vessel’s operations and transferred to shore, it is designated for reuse in a broad range of industrial applications. Chinese authorities say the captured CO₂ could serve as a source of income for a vessel, with potential earnings of up to $8 million annually from its sale.

CO₂ capture is viewed as a cost-effective solution for retrofitting in-service vessels, helping to extend their service life amid emerging emissions regulations. Evergreen reported investing approximately $10 million to equip the Ever Top with the onboard system — significantly less than the expense of building a new ship or converting it to run on alternative fuels.