CAROS project launched: another step in onboard CO2 capture

Conoship takes part in ‘CO2 capture retrofit for HFO-powered ships’ project

Conoship is proud to join Carbotreat and partners in the newly launched CAROS project, an industry push to advance CO2 capture for the existing fleet. Building on lessons from LNG applications, CAROS focuses on a retrofit pathway for HFO-powered ships, where the potential emissions impact is largest. The project is set to run for about two years, during which the partners will adapt and test a capture prototype onshore in Veendam with Bouman Industries.

The timing of CAROS aligns with emerging IMO- and EU regulations, and the sector’s need for practical decarbonization steps. Conoship contributes its integration and design expertise to help translate Carbotreat’s technology into compact, marine-ready solutions for HFO-powered ships.

You can find the official Carbotreat press release behind the link.

Background & relevance of CAROS

While earlier pilots showed how CO2 capture pairs well with LNG, the global fleet still relies heavily on HFO as a fuel. For HFO vessels, the potential emission reduction is also the largest. The CAROS project addresses this reality by adapting capture technology to tougher HFO exhaust conditions so decarbonization becomes feasible for the majority of the world fleet.

The EverLoNG project brings valuable hand-on experience in integrating capture systems at sea. The prototype that was developed provides lessons in layout, utilities, heat management, and operability, giving CAROS a head start.

Conoship’s role

As naval architects and integrators, we translate CO2 capture concepts into ship-ready solutions. In CAROS, our focus is to:

• Providing safety assessments and conducting an initial HAZID study to evaluate risks related to the new (potentially toxic) solvents.
• Advising on regulatory compliance for storage, handling, and operation of CO₂ and solvents aboard ships.
• Supporting the design of measurement systems and test installations, ensuring they align with shipboard operations.
• Acting as a collaboration partner and linking the technical development to broader maritime application and design feasibility.

Bankability and regulation

Momentum in regulation aligns closely with the CAROS timeline. While the IMO’s Net Zero Framework implementation has been delayed by a year, most nations remain focused on the sustainability goals.

The EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation adds urgency by setting binding GHG intensity targets and pricing emissions on a well-to-wake basis. This regulatory clarity boosts CAROS’s bankability, as shipowners seek scalable retrofit solutions that align with compliance deadlines.

As CAROS moves from kick-off to a two-year development arc, the project’s results will land precisely when owners are looking for compliant, scalable options.

Affordability is the natural next question. Conoship’s view is that economics improve on three fronts:

1. Regulation puts a tangible price on emissions
2. Technology drives down capex and opex through learning curves
3. Smart integration limits energy penalties and downtime

As these factors converge, CO2 capture transitions from emerging technology to bankable retrofit. The economics are reinforced by reduced exposure to carbon pricing and greater compliance certainty, particularly for HFO-powered vessels with the largest abatement potential.

Expectations and outlook

We expect that, with the combined know-how developed in CAROS and our experience in EverLoNG and other projects, we can deliver an effective HFO-ready CO2 capture unit and pinpoint exactly what adaptations the LNG prototype needs to perform reliably on HFO-powered ships. We anticipate a faster, more efficient development cycle thanks to prior integration learnings, and we look forward to an insightful collaboration in Veendam that expands our knowledge and turns those insights into a practical, retrofit-ready solution.