LCO2 shipping network planning for onboard carbon capture and storage: A hub location and vessel scheduling optimization framework

To meet global decarbonization targets, onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) has emerged as a viable strategy for maritime emission reduction. However, the shipping of captured liquid CO 2 (LCO 2 ) remains a critical bottleneck due to a lack of systematic coordination, which leads to systemic inefficiencies such as redundant routing, idle capacity, and cost inefficiency. This study, undertaken within an OCCS demonstration project, proposes a two-stage optimization framework to enhance the efficiency and economy of LCO 2 shipping. In the first stage, a network flow model optimizes shipping network configuration and volume allocation to minimize transport cost. In the second stage, a voyage generation algorithm and a fleet deployment model determine the minimum fleet size required to fulfill transport demand, providing a quantitative basis for new-build LCO 2 transport vessel design. A real-world case study demonstrates substantial cost reductions and enhanced operational performance. The findings support the large-scale deployment of OCCS by offering actionable insights for LCO 2 shipping system planning.