K Line has signed a partnership with Havstjerne ANS to develop offshore CO2 transport and storage solutions in the Norwegian North Sea, while also exploring wind-assisted propulsion technology for its fleet.
On 8 September, K Line Energy Shipping (UK) Limited, the group’s London-based subsidiary, signed a memorandum of understanding with Havstjerne ANS, a partnership between Harbour Energy Norge and Stella Maris CCS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia’s Yinson Production, to develop transport and storage solutions for the Havstjerne CO2 licence in the Norwegian North Sea. The initiative aims to mature a marine-based value chain centred on floating storage and injection units (FSIUs) and liquefied CO2 carriers.
The Havstjerne licence, located around 100 km southwest of Egersund, is operated by Harbour Energy with a 60% stake, while Stella Maris CCS holds the remaining 40%. Offshore sequestration is widely regarded as a safe and efficient route to permanent storage, while the FSIU model is being promoted as a cost-effective option for sites where onshore terminals are impractical.
K Line brings direct experience, with its UK subsidiary managing two liquefied CO2 carriers since 2024 as part of what it describes as the world’s first commercial transport and storage service. Its partnership with Yinson Production, established earlier this year, also targets development of dedicated CO2 carriers and offshore injection systems for European projects.
The agreement highlights how shipping and offshore operators are positioning themselves in the emerging carbon value chain, with the Norwegian Continental Shelf a focal point due to its geology and proximity to European emitters.
Parallel to its CCS ventures, K Line is pursuing emissions reductions at fleet level. The company, through its French subsidiary OCEANICWING, has advanced development of its Seawing kite system, designed to harness high-altitude winds for auxiliary propulsion. A 300m² kite passed land-based performance and strength tests in June, with offshore demonstrations planned on a bulk carrier as part of a two-year programme expected to validate fuel savings of over 10%.
Takenori Igarashi, K Line President and CEO, said: ‘Phase one has been a success. We will continue developing Seawing so it can be deployed on ships and become a practical solution for decarbonising shipping.’
Unlike conventional wind-assist technologies, Seawing is designed for both newbuilds and retrofits, offering flexibility for operators looking to combine efficiency gains with the transition to alternative fuels.
