Norwegian shipping firm Solvang has taken delivery of two new very large gas carriers (VLGCs) designed to be fitted with an onboard carbon capture system, with a third vessel from the same series set to follow before the end of April, according to Ship & Bunker.
Three New Vessels, One Naming Ceremony
The trio of newbuilds — named Clipper Guardian, Clipper Galiot, and Clipper Galleon — were officially named at a ceremony held last month at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, Ship & Bunker reports. While two of the three vessels have now been handed over to Solvang, the company confirmed via a LinkedIn post on Wednesday that delivery of the third is expected later this month.
Building on Existing OCCS Experience
The new additions reflect a deliberate push by Solvang toward decarbonisation-ready tonnage. As Ship & Bunker notes, the company is not new to this technology — it has already retrofitted its vessel Clipper Eris with an onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) system, giving the firm hands-on operational experience ahead of expanding the capability across its fleet.
Onboard carbon capture technology works by intercepting CO2 from a ship’s exhaust gases and storing it onboard, with the captured emissions later offloaded for disposal or processing ashore.
Carbon Capture as a Fleet Strategy
By ordering vessels that are carbon capture-ready from the outset, Solvang positions itself to retrofit the systems as the technology and supporting infrastructure matures — rather than facing more complex and costly modifications on vessels not originally designed with this compatibility in mind.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
