Lloyd's Register Highlights Early Candidates for Onboard Carbon Capture

Lloyd's Register has identified medium-range (MR) and chemical tankers, LNG-fuelled vessels, and container feeder tonnage as the most viable near-term candidates for deploying onboard carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems. The assessment was published in its technical report, Applying Onboard Carbon Capture & Storage to Existing Ships, launched at the SMM maritime trade exhibition in Hamburg.

According to the classification society, maritime CCS technology has moved past the initial conceptual phase and is transitioning into early commercial application across the global fleet.

Operational data shows that full-scale systems currently fitted to vessels are delivering carbon dioxide capture rates of between 30% and 40%. Meanwhile, larger-scale pilot initiatives are pursuing higher capture thresholds, with targets positioned around 70% of exhaust emissions.

The report emphasizes that further adoption across candidate vessel segments will depend heavily on market conditions and regulatory clarity. Transparent and established international rules remain critical to incentivise shipowner investment and establish standard operating frameworks for shipboard capture systems.