Ramboll\u2019s ports and marine experts work at the forefront of the maritime sector on a broad range of projects in some of the world\u2019s most demanding environments.<\/p>\n
We have completed major port projects in more than 35 countries, including across the UK, Europe, Africa, the Asia Pacific and the Middle East. This includes feasibility studies, port planning and port design.<\/p>\n
Ramboll also provides expertise in maintaining a healthy marine environment, including shoreline management, coastal defence, marine ecology and flood protection. Our understanding of complex port and marine requirements enables us to deliver projects of varying sizes and complexities anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n
We are now taking part in the positive global Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) developments by assisting clients to assess and develop projects that involve carbon capture and CO2 transport, utilisation and storage.<\/p>\n
Carbon capture<\/strong><\/p>\n Ramboll provides management, commercial and environmental assistance to developers and governments in the development of overall strategies, business plans and environmental assessments and plans for CCUS projects.<\/p>\n Carbon capture technology aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes, power generation, and other sources by capturing CO2 before it\u2019s released into the atmosphere, and storing it underground or repurposing it.<\/p>\n The Northern Lights project in Europe is one of the most advanced CO2 sequestration projects on a major scale. The Northern Lights project is a joint venture between Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies and is a good example being primarily funded through a combination of public and private investment. The project received significant financial support from the Norwegian government with Norway allocating funding from its national budget to support the development and implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects like Northern Lights as part of its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n Additionally, private investors such as Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies contribute funding to the project as part of their commitment to advancing CCS technology and addressing climate change. These companies recognise the importance of investing in CCS infrastructure to reduce emissions from industrial processes and contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy.<\/p>\n Future port infrastructure could play a role in carbon capture by facilitating the transport of captured CO2 for storage or utilisation. Ports could become hubs for CO2 transport, handling and storage, potentially enabling efficient and cost-effective deployment of carbon capture technologies on a larger scale. This integration could help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from various industries.<\/p>\n Ports can play a pivotal role in supporting the entire carbon capture value chain and developing viable business cases around it. By offering services like CO2 bunkering, ports facilitate the transportation of captured CO2, thereby enabling the growth of CO2 trading and credit markets.<\/p>\n Moreover, by serving as hubs for downstream carbon utilisation activities such as green fuel and e-fuel synthesis, ports contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the maritime industry. Green fuels derived from CO2 as a feedstock offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, helping reduce emissions from ships and advancing the goals of the maritime green transition.<\/p>\n In essence, ports not only support the deployment of carbon capture technology but also catalyse the development of a circular carbon economy where CO2 is viewed as a valuable resource rather than a waste product. This holistic approach underscores the critical role ports play in driving sustainability and innovation within the maritime sector.<\/p>\n We are currently working on Greensand, which is Europe\u2019s largest carbon capture and storage project. The main partners, led by INEOS Energy in collaboration with Wintershall DEA, Maersk Drilling and the National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, together with a consortium of 20 companies including Ramboll, are looking to validate the technical and commercial feasibility of reusing a depleted oil and gas field to store CO2 under the seabed.<\/p>\n The pilot test will be carried out at the Nini West platform in the Danish North Sea, where half a million tonnes of CO2 are expected to be stored by 2025. Ramboll also recently completed the Amager Bakke waste-to-energy facility in Copenhagen, which was established as a pilot plant for carbon capture. It is the first of its kind in Denmark. The primary purpose of the pilot plant was to test carbon capture technologies and optimise the energy integration with the district heating network.<\/p>\n Financial incentives<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to financial incentives available for ports, there are plenty. There are a few ways that ports can generate revenue from their own carbon capture projects.<\/p>\n The Northern Lights project generates revenue from CO2 source providers, such as industrial facilities, that pay fees for the transportation and storage of their captured CO2 to the onshore receiving terminal in Norway. These fees contribute to the financial sustainability of the project.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the HyNet project in the UK aims to develop carbon capture and storage infrastructure in the North West of England. Ports in this region could potentially generate revenue by providing CO2 bunkering services to ships transporting captured CO2 to storage sites or utilisation facilities.<\/p>\n In addition there is often government support available.<\/p>\n For example, the Norwegian government provides financial support to the Northern Lights project as part of its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting carbon capture and storage technology. This support includes funding from national budgets and participation in public-private partnerships.<\/p>\n The UK government has allocated funding and support for the HyNet project through various mechanisms such as the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge and the Clean Growth Fund. This support includes grants, subsidies, and regulatory incentives to accelerate the deployment of carbon capture and storage infrastructure.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also the opportunity to get involved with carbon pricing and credits.<\/p>\n The Northern Lights project could potentially participate in carbon pricing mechanisms or carbon credit markets by offering carbon capture and storage services. This could involve monetising CO2 storage activities and generating revenue from the sale of carbon credits.<\/p>\n HyNet aims to establish a carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) network that could potentially qualify for carbon credits under emission reduction schemes such as the UK Emissions Trading System or the EU Emissions Trading System. Ports involved in CO2 transportation and storage could benefit from these carbon pricing mechanisms.<\/p>\n These examples demonstrate how the Northern Lights project and the HyNet project leverage various financial incentives, government support and carbon pricing mechanisms to develop carbon capture and storage infrastructure, including CO2 bunkering services at ports.<\/p>\n A case study in practice<\/strong><\/p>\n One example of a CO2 handling port in Asia is the Tomakomai Port located in Hokkaido, Japan, which is associated with the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project. 1.<\/p>\n Tomakomai Port was selected as the site for the CO2 handling facilities due to its proximity to the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project\u2019s CO2 capture site at the Tomakomai Thermal Power Station, as well as its access to maritime transportation routes for CO2 transport and storage.<\/p>\n The Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project involved the construction of CO2 capture facilities at the Tomakomai Thermal Power Station to capture CO2 emissions from the power generation process. The captured CO2 is then transported via pipelines to the Tomakomai Port, where it is compressed, stored and loaded onto ships for offshore CO2 storage in geological formations beneath the seabed.<\/p>\n The realisation of CO2 handling facilities at Tomakomai Port required regulatory approval from relevant authorities in Japan, including environmental permits, safety certifications, and compliance with maritime regulations for CO2 transport and storage activities.<\/p>\n The Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project involved collaboration between industry partners, government agencies, research institutions, and local communities. Public-private partnerships were established to secure funding, technical expertise, and support for the project\u2019s development and implementation.<\/p>\n The Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project was initiated in the early 2010s, with various phases of development, construction, and operation. The CO2 handling facilities at Tomakomai Port were realised as part of the project\u2019s overall timeline, with milestones for construction, commissioning, and operation.<\/p>\n In addition to the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project in Japan, another example of a CO2 handling port is the Gorgon Project in Australia. The Gorgon Project, operated by Chevron, involves the capture and storage of CO2 emissions from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on Barrow Island, Western Australia.<\/p>\n The captured CO2 is transported via pipelines to a CO2 injection site offshore, where it is injected and stored deep underground in geological formations. While the CO2 handling facilities for the Gorgon Project are not located at a traditional port, they exemplify the realisation of CO2 transport and storage infrastructure in a maritime context.<\/p>\n Into the future<\/strong><\/p>\n The Port of Singapore and other ports in the Asia Pacific can benefit from the carbon capture value chain in several ways.<\/p>\n Ports can diversify their services by integrating CCUS infrastructure, such as CO2 handling and bunkering facilities. This allows ports to offer new services to industries involved in carbon capture activities, thus expanding their revenue streams and enhancing their competitiveness.<\/p>\n In addition, ports that invest in CCUS infrastructure position themselves as key players in the transition to a low-carbon economy. By providing essential services for CO2 transport, storage, and utilisation, these ports establish themselves as hubs for sustainable maritime activities, attracting environmentally conscious industries and shipping companies.<\/p>\n The development of CCUS infrastructure creates opportunities for job creation, technology innovation, and economic growth in port regions. Ports can stimulate local economies by attracting investment from CCUS-related industries and fostering collaboration between research institutions, businesses, and government agencies.<\/p>\n Ports that support the carbon capture value chain contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By facilitating the deployment of CCUS technology, these ports demonstrate environmental leadership and promote sustainable practices in the maritime sector.<\/p>\n In addition, ports in Asia can benefit from international collaboration and partnerships with countries and organisations involved in CCUS initiatives. By sharing knowledge, best practice, and resources, ports can accelerate the development of CCUS infrastructure and maximise the benefits of carbon capture technology and the future carbon trading market.<\/p>\n In summary, port and terminal operators are encouraged to embrace the opportunity presented by CCUS and position their ports for sustainable growth in the transition to a low-carbon future.<\/p>\n By investing in CCUS infrastructure, demonstrating environmental leadership, and fostering collaboration, ports can play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient maritime industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dr Haoxin Xu,\u00a0lead consultant department of waste-to-energy and carbon capture, Ramboll, tells GreenPort about some of its latest energy transition projects<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4196,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,1376,22],"tags":[347,1502,1503,1501,678,1500],"sponsor":[],"class_list":["post-4195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy-technology-greenport","category-greenport-exclusive","category-products-services-greenport","tag-carbon-capture","tag-coastal-defence","tag-flood-protection","tag-port-design","tag-port-planning","tag-ramboll"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4195"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4195\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4197,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4195\/revisions\/4197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4195"},{"taxonomy":"sponsor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sponsor?post=4195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}