PETRONAS, MOL and MISC to jointly develop LCO2 carriers for CCS projects

KUALA LUMPUR: PETRONAS CCS Ventures Sdn Bhd (PETRONAS CCS Ventures), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PETRONAS has signed a term sheet with Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and MISC Bhd.

In a statement, PETRONAS CCS Ventures said the term sheet is for the potential incorporation of a joint venture entity to invest in developing and monetising liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carriers for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in Malaysia.

The parties have agreed in principle on the key commercial terms to allow progress to the next stage.

“Building on the February 2022 memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with MOL and the four approval in Principle (AiPs) for the conceptual design of the LCO2 carriers in June 2023, the term sheet marks another milestone for the positioning of CCS as a key lever in PETRONAS’ net zero carbon emissions by 2050 ambition,” it said.

“LCO2 carriers are integral to the CCS value chain to connect customers to carbon capture sites and storage locations. Our partnership with MOL and MISC is a powerful synergy of multiple expertise, abundant resources, and shared values.

“By combining our individual strengths, we will be able to facilitate the development and subsequently materialise the transportation of liquefied CO2 in a safe and sustainable manner.” PETRONAS executive vice president and chief executive officer of upstream Datuk Adif Zulkifli said.

MISC president/group chief executive officer Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam said: “We are pleased to partner with PETRONAS and MOL in this strategic venture. It’s a perfect fit with our advocacy for a just transition, where responsible practices take center stage in managing societal emissions. As a future-focused shipowner, MISC is well-equipped to deliver the technical expertise required for LCO₂ shipping, a crucial link in the carbon capture and storage value chain.

“Again, our call to the maritime and other hard-to-abate industries is to collaborate for the betterment of everyone through viable solutions that are available.”