Project leaders
The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the research centre Shanghai Qiyao Environmental Technology, affiliated with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, with support from the Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute.
Project description
GCMD and Shanghai Qiyao Environmental Technology have successfully completed the world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of CO₂ using an Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) system. This system enables vessels to capture and store CO₂ emissions during navigation.
In this pilot, 25.44 metric tons of CO₂ were transferred from the vessel MV Ever Top to the receiving ship Dejin 26. The captured CO₂ was then offloaded at the port of Zhoushan (Zhejiang province, China) into a tanker truck and later transported to a low-carbon calcium carbonate production facility in China’s Inner Mongolia region.
The STS transfer of CO₂ is a major breakthrough, as it allows carbon capture to occur offshore without the need to dock — a critical feature for large vessels that cannot access smaller ports. This innovation enables the captured CO₂ to be delivered to buyers who can use it to produce materials like methanol, plastics, or cement, or for agricultural purposes in greenhouses, where CO₂ is used to stimulate photosynthesis, promoting faster and more robust plant growth and potentially enhancing product quality.
Project objectives
The main goal of this innovative project is to support the decarbonisation of the maritime industry, which currently accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Through OCCS, the aim is to implement a viable solution for complying with stricter emissions regulations by repurposing captured CO₂ as a raw material in various industrial processes.
The innovation of STS CO₂ transfer is a key step in proving the large-scale viability of this system, reducing operational costs and expanding the circular economy applications of captured CO₂. The Ever Top vessel, which captures over 80% of its CO₂ emissions with 99.9% efficiency, stands as a clear demonstration of how this technology can be integrated into maritime decarbonisation strategies and contribute to the advancement of a more sustainable blue economy.
Publication date
July 25, 2025