Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corp. and shipping giant Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line) are pioneering a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project that will transport carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from Japan to Alaska, marking a significant step in Japan’s decarbonization efforts.
The initiative, set to begin full-scale operations by 2030, will be the first of its kind between Japan and the United States.
With its vast underground CO2 storage capacity equivalent, 50 times Japan’s annual emissions, Alaska offers an ideal location for long-term carbon storage. Sumitomo and K-Line want to complete their feasibility study on storage potential and costs by 2025. They have signed a memorandum of understanding with oil and gas company Hilcorp Alaska to explore suitable storage sites.
Under the partnership, Sumitomo will collect liquefied CO2 from Japanese businesses, while K-Line will handle transportation using specialized carriers. Hilcorp, for its part, will contribute local expertise in selecting underground storage locations.
Sumitomo is eyeing a similar CCS project in Australia. One the other hand, K-Line has worked on a CCS project in Norway, making it an ideal partner in transporting liquefied CO2.
Alaska’s existing infrastructure, such as pipelines and port facilities, will help reduce initial costs. The state’s CO2 storage capacity is estimated at over 50 billion tonnes and provides significant potential for long-term storage.
Japan’s decarbonization strategy requires up to 240 million tonnes of carbon capture annually, far exceeding its current capability. The Sumitomo-K-Line initiative will play a crucial part in its strategy as existing projects offer only 20 million tonnes of storage annually.
