Northern Lights Expands Fleet with New LCO2 Vessel Partnership with K Line and MISC

The Northern Lights Initiative: A Bold Step in Carbon Management

In an ambitious move to bolster its fleet, Northern Lights, a joint venture (JV) involving three major European oil players—Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies—has announced its intention to acquire another liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier. This decision comes through a time charter agreement with a consortium that includes Japan’s Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) and Malaysia’s MISC.

This recent venture will see the construction of a newly built 12,000 cubic meter (cbm) LCO2 carrier by Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co. (DSOC). This vessel is expected to significantly enhance Europe’s pioneering open-access carbon capture and storage (CCS) transport and storage infrastructure, cementing Northern Lights’ role in the climate technology landscape.

The latest time charter agreement is the second such move by the consortium, expanding its capabilities following a fleet announcement in January 2026 for four additional CO2 vessels. The goal is simple yet profound: to support an expanding network aimed at transporting captured CO2 from key industrial hubs across Europe to permanent offshore storage facilities in Norway.

Zahid Osman, President and Group CEO of MISC, expressed optimism about the long-term potential of the LCO2 shipping market. He highlighted, “Securing this second vessel award reinforces our confidence in the long-term potential of the LCO2 shipping segment and marks another step forward in expanding MISC’s portfolio of future-focused maritime solutions.” This statement underscores the strategic importance of this venture in the context of a broader energy transition.

The dual-fuel LNG propulsion system expected on these vessels exemplifies the modern approach to energy efficiency and sustainability, aligning with global objectives to reduce carbon footprints. MISC anticipates that the addition of these carriers will not only complement the existing fleet but also expand capacity, thereby allowing Northern Lights to serve a larger base of commercial clients across Europe.

Northern Lights JV has already celebrated the delivery of three vessels—Northern Pioneer, Northern Pathfinder, and Northern Phoenix—which are part of the initial phase of the Norwegian government’s Longship project, aiming to tackle carbon emissions effectively. The recent christening of a fourth LCO2 carrier further underlines the initiative’s momentum.

The carbon transport and storage service launched by Northern Lights began its first injection of liquid CO2 in August 2025, marking a significant milestone in its operational journey. The captured CO2, sourced from industrial processes, is shipped to a receiving terminal in western Norway and then routed via a pipeline for permanent storage at depths of 2,600 meters beneath the seabed.

This project will facilitate the transportation and storage of CO2 from notable Norwegian industries, including Heidelberg Materials’ cement factory in Brevik and the Hafslund Celsio waste-to-energy plant in Oslo. Further commercial agreements have also been finalized with organizations such as Yara in the Netherlands, Ørsted in Denmark, and Stockholm Exergi in Sweden, further enhancing the project’s reach and impact.