Carbon Destroyer 1 set sail to Esbjerg after successful sea trials
The Carbon Destroyer 1, Europe’s first offshore DP2 CO₂ carrier, has left her home port Delfzijl after she successfully completed two sea trials in the North Sea. With these tests concluded, the vessel moves a decisive step closer to its upcoming deployment to Esbjerg, where it will become part of Project Greensand’s offshore CO₂ storage chain, led by INEOS Energy.
Sea trials validate core operational functions of the offshore CO₂ carrier
The trials took place off the Dutch coast and focused on propulsion, manoeuvrability, DP2 performance and all other equipment and systems. Built by Royal Niestern Sander and operated by Wagenborg, the vessel is the first of its kind in Europe: a 149.95‑metre dedicated DP2 offshore CO₂ carrier designed specifically for shuttle transport between Esbjerg and the Nini field, Denmark’s first operational offshore CO₂ storage site.
With a cargo capacity of about 5,000 tonnes of liquefied CO₂ and a 36‑hour shuttle cycle, the ship will be able to transport approximately 600,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. This scale makes the vessel a key operational link in enabling industrial CO₂ storage at sea.
Integrated DP2 and cargo systems assessed under realistic offshore conditions
The Carbon Destroyer 1 represents a completely new vessel segment. Unlike conventional tankers, its design is fully driven by the thermodynamic behaviour of liquefied CO₂, requiring specialised tanks, integrated safety zones, and a high‑redundancy energy and propulsion layout. All critical systems—cargo handling, DP2 positioning, energy supply and control systems—are engineered as one integrated whole.
The successful sea trials confirm that the ship’s dual-role concept—combining offshore station‑keeping with tanker‑grade cargo management—performs as intended. The DP2 system maintained position within the required tolerances, while the vessel demonstrated stable behaviour under varying weather and load conditions up to the thresholds defined during design.
Preparing for final commissioning phase ahead of Esbjerg deployment
With the trial programme now completed, the vessel will undergo final inspections and operational preparations before sailing to Esbjerg. There it will enter the final phase of commissioning together with the onshore and offshore systems of Project Greensand. Once operational later this year, the Carbon Destroyer 1 will begin regular shuttle operations between Denmark and the Nini field—marking the start of industrial‑scale offshore CO₂ storage in Europe.
