Techno-economic and environmental assessment of Onboard Carbon Capture for maritime net-zero compliance
Techno-economic and environmental assessment of Onboard Carbon Capture for maritime net-zero compliance
The shipping sector faces mounting pressure to align with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) revised greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. Although zero- and near-zero (ZnZ) emission fuels may offer long-term solutions, their large-scale deployment is constrained by cost, infrastructure, efficacy and safety concerns. Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) systems may provide a transitional approach, and this study assesses the techno-economic and environmental feasibility of across four container vessel types powered by Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and methanol. Two OCC technologies—chemical absorption using monoethanolamine (MEA) and cryogenic separation—are evaluated in terms of energy demand, space requirements, lifecycle GHG emissions, and economic performance under the IMO's Net-Zero Framework. Results show that MEA-based systems offer the highest GHG reduction potential (up to 41.5 % for MDO) but at the cost of increased fuel consumption (15–30 %) and cargo capacity penalties (∼10 %). Cryogenic systems enhance safety but are more energy-intensive due to reliance on auxiliary power. OCC-equipped vessels can meet IMO GHG intensity targets through 2035, particularly when combined with biofuels, and provide up to a 2.2-fold cost advantage over purchasing Remedial Units (RUs). Although not a permanent solution, OCC offers a practical bridge toward maritime decarbonisation. Deployment requires policy support, port and geostorage infrastructure, and further innovation in capture technologies and waste heat integration.
Climate risk, IMO net zero framework, Life cycle emissions, Maritime decarbonisation, Maritime sustainability, Onboard carbon capture and storage
Vakili, Seyedvahid
87fcd634-ca9f-466c-93b4-0432809e5287
Manias, Panos
e550032b-d811-4f3c-b4da-4f5e542aa8ad
Turnock, Stephen
d6442f5c-d9af-4fdb-8406-7c79a92b26ce
Teagle, Damon
396539c5-acbe-4dfa-bb9b-94af878fe286
22 October 2025
Vakili, Seyedvahid
87fcd634-ca9f-466c-93b4-0432809e5287
Manias, Panos
e550032b-d811-4f3c-b4da-4f5e542aa8ad
Turnock, Stephen
d6442f5c-d9af-4fdb-8406-7c79a92b26ce
Teagle, Damon
396539c5-acbe-4dfa-bb9b-94af878fe286
Vakili, Seyedvahid, Manias, Panos, Turnock, Stephen and Teagle, Damon
(2025)
Techno-economic and environmental assessment of Onboard Carbon Capture for maritime net-zero compliance.
Journal of Environmental Management, 395, [127677].
(doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127677).
Abstract
The shipping sector faces mounting pressure to align with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) revised greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. Although zero- and near-zero (ZnZ) emission fuels may offer long-term solutions, their large-scale deployment is constrained by cost, infrastructure, efficacy and safety concerns. Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) systems may provide a transitional approach, and this study assesses the techno-economic and environmental feasibility of across four container vessel types powered by Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and methanol. Two OCC technologies—chemical absorption using monoethanolamine (MEA) and cryogenic separation—are evaluated in terms of energy demand, space requirements, lifecycle GHG emissions, and economic performance under the IMO's Net-Zero Framework. Results show that MEA-based systems offer the highest GHG reduction potential (up to 41.5 % for MDO) but at the cost of increased fuel consumption (15–30 %) and cargo capacity penalties (∼10 %). Cryogenic systems enhance safety but are more energy-intensive due to reliance on auxiliary power. OCC-equipped vessels can meet IMO GHG intensity targets through 2035, particularly when combined with biofuels, and provide up to a 2.2-fold cost advantage over purchasing Remedial Units (RUs). Although not a permanent solution, OCC offers a practical bridge toward maritime decarbonisation. Deployment requires policy support, port and geostorage infrastructure, and further innovation in capture technologies and waste heat integration.
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Accepted/In Press date: 15 October 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 22 October 2025
Published date: 22 October 2025
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© 2025 The Authors
Keywords:
Climate risk, IMO net zero framework, Life cycle emissions, Maritime decarbonisation, Maritime sustainability, Onboard carbon capture and storage
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Local EPrints ID: 507251
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/507251
ISSN: 0301-4797
PURE UUID: d3712bb0-7f03-4288-a912-0aa9bfeb9c30
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Date deposited: 02 Dec 2025 18:04
Last modified: 03 Dec 2025 03:06
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Author:
Seyedvahid Vakili
Author:
Panos Manias
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