A milestone is reached in Project Ruby, as CarbonCuts A/S explores various options for CO2 interim storage, including an innovative floating barge solution. After six months of work with naval design experts from TGE Marine and classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), CarbonCuts has received the Approval in Principle (AIP) for its proposed CO2 barge design. This indicates that the chosen design concept meets essential safety and regulatory standards. The AIP paves the way for further development should Project Ruby decide to proceed with construction.

“This AIP approval is a milestone achievement and thumbs-up to our infrastructure design thinking for Project Ruby – and it really is a proud outcome of a six-month team innovation effort with a shared commitment for all involved in creating sustainable solutions,” said Ken Wesnæs, CEO of CarbonCuts.

The approved barge design is the culmination of six months of intensive collaboration among experts in gas storage, naval architecture, and certification. The achievement not only showcases the power of creativity and collective expertise but is also an important and pioneering milestone in CO2 emission management. The project represents a pivotal shift in CO2 storage strategy and is financially supported by the Danish Maritime Fund. [Read about the project support]

An expert in ship design, TGE Marine, participated as engineering design lead and praised the project's transformative impact. “We are delighted that CarbonCuts A/S got the AIP from ABS for their liquid CO2-barge. The conceptualizing of this 24,000m3 barge will allow the whole industry to take steps to realise those greener innovations that we are in need of to become more sustainable and carbon neutral,” said Jakob Nielsen, Sales Director from TGE Marine.

ABS validated the AIP against rigorous standards."We congratulate CarbonCuts and the project team on their innovative CO2 barge design that uses existing technology in inspiring new ways. This is an achievement that reflects their dedication to finding sustainable solutions for the clean energy transition in maritime," said Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President, Marine.

Why explore a barge solution?
Before CO2 can be safely and permanently stored deep underground in the Rødby structure, it must first be imported and undergo interim storage. Imagine a floating storage vessel stationed at sea, designed to temporarily hold CO2 primarily transported by ship in the Baltic region. A barge solution offers flexibility, efficiency, and mobility due to its relatively small size.

With the AIP approval of the barge design secured, CarbonCuts is gearing up for the next phase of infrastructure planning, considering the integration of the seaway option with land-based storage solutions.

These efforts collectively serve the crucial role of a CO2 buffer storage before permanent injection into sandstone formations, to ensure effective and responsible CO2 management.

"Securing AIP for our CO2 barge design is a very concrete step forward in our mission to establish one of the world's first onshore CO2 storage facilities right here in Denmark. Every milestone is a step in that direction – as we push for a greener tomorrow," Ken Wesnæs concluded.

Before the start button on Project Ruby can be pressed, CarbonCuts must be awarded an exploration license from the Danish Energy Agency, which is anticipated to be announced this summer. If the license is awarded, it will be the formal kick-off of Project Ruby’s exploration phase of a permanent onshore CO2 storage in Lolland.

What is an AIP certification?
Approval in Principle (AIP) is a preliminary certification for marine and offshore projects in the early design stage - like ship designs – to review innovative and novel concepts not covered by traditional prescriptive classification rules and regulatory standards so that a level of safety in line with the current marine industry practice is provided.

How an AIP is obtained – step by step:

1. Concept submission: Designers submit a detailed project concept to a certification authority, in this case, ABS managed the approval process.
2. Review process: The authority reviews the concept against safety and regulatory standards.
3. Issuance of AIP: If compliant, the authority issues an AIP, endorsing the design at a conceptual level.

Read more about AIP by ABS

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