- South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries establishes an advisory body on 15 April 2025 in Busan to develop International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for Onboard Carbon Capture Systems (OCCS).
- The group includes key industry stakeholders such as shipbuilders, shipping companies, equipment suppliers, and research institutes, targeting unified regulations for maritime decarbonisation.
- OCCS technology supports IMO’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050, capturing CO2 from ship exhausts for storage and discharge at ports.
In a strategic push for maritime decarbonisation, South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is launching an advisory body on 15 April in Busan. This initiative assembles major industry players to draft International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for Onboard Carbon Capture Systems (OCCS), a key technology to cut ship emissions globally.
Context and Background
The maritime industry faces urgent pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. The IMO has set ambitious targets, including a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
Technologies like OCCS are gaining traction as practical solutions. South Korea, a leading shipbuilding nation, aims to lead in this field. Pilot projects exist, but a lack of standardised rules hinders widespread adoption.
In-Depth Technical Analysis
Understanding Onboard Carbon Capture Systems
An Onboard Carbon Capture System (OCCS) captures carbon dioxide from ship engine exhaust gases. It uses chemical or physical processes to separate the CO2, compresses it, and stores it in dedicated tanks onboard.
The captured CO2 is then offloaded at ports with proper handling facilities. This reduces direct emissions while allowing continued use of conventional fuels.
Technical and Design Challenges
Integrating OCCS into existing vessels poses space and weight issues. Additional equipment like absorbers and compressors can affect cargo capacity and stability.
Safety is critical. Handling compressed CO2 requires stringent standards to prevent leaks, similar to regulations for liquefied gases such as LNG.
Concrete Operational Implications
For shipowners, OCCS adoption will mean design changes for newbuilds and costly retrofits for older fleets. New vessels can be optimised from the start, but retrofitting involves significant engineering.
Operationally, ships with OCCS need ports equipped to handle discharged CO2. This will drive infrastructure investments in hubs like Busan or Rotterdam.
Impact on the Labour Market
This initiative will create demand for specialised skills. Naval engineers with expertise in carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be in high demand.
Maintenance technicians will require training in OCCS systems and chemical safety. Port operators will need skills in CO2 management, and STCW courses may update to include these technologies.
Macro Context
Globally, the IMO is refining decarbonisation measures like the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). OCCS standards could integrate into these frameworks.
Geopolitically, South Korea competes with Europe and China for maritime tech leadership. Setting international standards could boost its exports of related equipment and services.
Outlook
The advisory body may influence upcoming IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meetings. If standards are agreed, OCCS adoption could accelerate from 2026.
Long-term, OCCS is likely to complement alternative fuels. Its success depends on cost reductions and energy efficiency improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an Onboard Carbon Capture System (OCCS)? An OCCS captures CO2 from ship engine exhaust, compresses it for onboard storage, and discharges it at port to cut emissions.
- Why are international standards crucial for OCCS? They ensure safety, interoperability, and efficacy across different ship types and flags, aiding global adoption under IMO rules.
- What job opportunities does this create? It increases demand for CCS-specialised naval engineers, OCCS-trained technicians, and port operators skilled in CO2 handling.
- How does OCCS affect daily ship operations? It adds complexity with extra equipment needing monitoring and may slightly reduce cargo space due to system installation.
Editorial Note: This article has been professionally adapted from Spanish to British English
for the WishToSail.com international maritime audience. Original article published at
QuieroNavegar.app.
