We are proud to have Seatrium, a global leader in offshore, marine, and energy solutions, as a Silver Sponsor of the Singapore-Norway Innovation Conference (SNIC) 2024. Bringing together the maritime powerhouses of Singapore and Norway, SNIC will showcase cutting-edge advancements in smart energy and decarbonization. Join us on November 6–7, 2024, at Conrad Centennial Singapore to explore how Seatrium and industry leaders are shaping the future of sustainable maritime innovation. Seatrium will be represented at SNIC by Executive Vice President Aziz Merchant. In three articles leading up to SNIC, we will promote our silver sponsor Seatrium. Register now to secure your place at this must-attend event.
In this interview, Aziz Merchant, Executive Vice President of Technology & New Product Development at Seatrium, shares insights on the company’s major innovations in offshore wind energy, carbon capture technologies, and the crucial role their Norwegian subsidiaries play in advancing sustainability. We also explore Seatrium’s long-term vision for the maritime industry and how these technologies are shaping its future.
Key Topics Covered:
- Offshore wind energy innovations and Seatrium’s contribution to renewable energy.
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and its impact on the maritime sector.
- The strategic role of Seatrium’s Norwegian subsidiaries in global sustainability efforts.
Aziz, Seatrium has been heavily involved in offshore wind energy projects. Can you tell us more about these initiatives and how they contribute to the company’s sustainability goals?
Aziz Merchant: Offshore wind energy is a critical part of Seatrium’s strategy to support the global energy transition. We have been involved in several major offshore wind projects, delivering key infrastructure like high voltage direct current (HVDC) and high voltage alternating current (HVAC) substations that are essential for the transmission of clean energy.
Another of our achievements is the development of wind turbine installation vessels (WITVs) by our Singapore technology company, Seatrium Offshore Technology (SOT). These vessels are purpose-built to support the construction of offshore wind farms, which is crucial as the industry scales up to meet the growing demand for renewable energy. LMG Marin is supporting owners and operators of wind farm Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) with innovative small water area twin hull (SWACH) designs with ultra-low fuel consumption and the option of fully electric operation in the field. Our current order book includes projects that contribute a total wind capacity of nearly 14 GW, helping to reduce global carbon emissions significantly.
Additionally, our Singapore technology company, Seatrium Marine and Deepwater Technology (SMDTech), has been instrumental in developing a semisubmersible based innovative floating wind turbine foundation. This design is modular and easily scalable, durable, and capable of operating in both shallower and deeper waters, making them ideal for the next generation of offshore wind farms. This not only enhances our sustainability efforts, but also aligns with our long-term vision of supporting global decarbonization.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is another area where Seatrium has been a leader. What role does CCS play in the maritime industry, and how is Seatrium advancing this technology?
Aziz Merchant: CCS is a game-changer for decarbonizing both the maritime and offshore energy sectors. At Seatrium, we’re actively working on CCS solutions that capture CO2 emissions directly from vessels and offshore installations. This captured carbon can then be stored or transported for further use, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of these operations. While amine-based carbon capture solutions are mature, we also look at innovative carbon capture mediums aimed at reducing the energy consumption and also are compact.
One of our flagship projects was the full-scale CCS retrofit for an LPG carrier from Solvang ASA. This was a pioneering project based on Seatrium’s design, demonstrating the feasibility of retrofitting existing vessels to capture and store carbon emissions. Beyond this, we are developing CCS technologies that can be integrated into newbuild vessels and offshore platforms, ensuring that future operations are comparable to green solutions from a sustainability perspective.
Under the UK-SG Innovate Grant, we are also working on onboard carbon capture and Storage (CCS) technology development for LNG-powered vessels, in collaboration with BPP-TECH.
How do Seatrium’s Norwegian subsidiaries contribute to the company’s overall sustainability strategy?
Aziz Merchant: Our Norwegian technology companies play a vital role in driving innovation and sustainability across the Seatrium group. For example, LMG Marin is not only a leader in ship design but also at the forefront of developing low-carbon maritime solutions. They have been working on the design of vessels that can run on hydrogen and ammonia, paving the way for cleaner, more sustainable shipping. The designs of Liquefied hydrogen carriers and Liquid CO2 tankers are capable of positioning Seatrium in the forefront of sustainable solution provider.
LMG Marin Pioneered LCO2 carrier design as they converted world’s first few LCO2 carriers from 1989 to 1996. LMG Marin is active now in designing LCO2 carriers of various sizes ranging from 7.5k cbm up to 90k cbm and was involved in a Pre-FEED for an oil major where a carrier/FSIU vessel design for 30k was investigated.
Aragon has delivered CO2 liquefaction units for a CCS demo unit at a powerplant in Germany and expecting further project awards in Europe. Aragon took an important role in the Feasibility Study Project, Stella Maris CCS – Carbon Capture and Storage initiated by Altera Infrastructure, where Aragon’s scope involved developing the topside concept for a CO2-treatment and injection system on a FSIU (Floating Storage and Injection Unit). Notably, the FSIU was designed using Sevan DWT’s proprietary circular hull.
Sevan DWT, another of our Norwegian technology company, has been developing floating platforms that are adaptable to both offshore wind and CCS applications. Their expertise in designing robust, scalable solutions for harsh offshore environments ensures that Seatrium remains a global leader in sustainable energy infrastructure.
Overall, our Norwegian technology companies enable us to be in CCS end-to-end play: Aragon provides the CO2 Capture, Liquefaction and nearshore Terminal solution, LMG Marin provides transport solution and Sevan DWT provides the Floating Storage Injection Solution.
Executive Vice President, Seatrium Aziz Merchant
By leveraging the deep expertise and innovative capacity of our Norwegian subsidiaries, we can accelerate the development of technologies that support renewable energy, new energies and carbon capture, reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable maritime future.
Looking forward, what are Seatrium’s long-term goals in terms of innovation and sustainability?
Aziz Merchant: Our long-term vision is fully aligned with the global push for decarbonization. We’re focused on scaling up our work in offshore wind, CCS, and other renewable energy projects. By 2030, we aim to have a significant portion of our business dedicated to clean energy solutions, with a target of 40% of our net order book coming from renewable and cleaner solutions.
We’re also committed to furthering the integration of CCS technologies into maritime operations, ensuring that carbon capture becomes a standard part of future vessel designs. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, Seatrium will be at the forefront of creating sustainable solutions that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.
REGISTER FOR SNIC