Burckhardt Compression wins milestone LCO2 carrier contract for Northern Lights

Burckhardt Compression has landed a milestone order to supply compressors for the first industrial-scale LCO2 carrier for the Northern Lights CCS project. The deal marks a step from pilot carbon capture toward commercial-scale transport and storage infrastructure. Why it matters: - The order supports the buildout of industrial-scale carbon capture and storage infrastructure. - LCO2 carriers are a key enabler for moving captured CO2 efficiently between emitters and storage sites. - The contract helps push CCS from pilot projects into broader commercial use. What happened: - Burckhardt Compression secured a milestone contract to deliver compressor solutions for the first industrial-scale LCO2 carrier used in the Northern Lights Carbon Capture and Storage project. - The company said the vessel is the first LNG-comparable carrier for liquefied carbon dioxide at industrial scale. - The order was announced June 18, 2026, in Winterthur, Switzerland. The details: - The ship is designed to transport CO2 in liquefied form. - The transport model is intended to move large volumes of captured emissions safely and efficiently between industrial facilities and permanent storage sites. - The design is especially relevant where fixed pipeline infrastructure is difficult or impossible to build, including cross-border routes. - The vessel represents a new industrial scale and a higher level of standardization for the emerging LCO2 transport segment. - The project is meant to help connect multiple emitters to centralized storage hubs. - Burckhardt Compression said its K-Laby compressors are known for operating flexibility, energy efficiency, and durable design. - The company said it has decades of experience in liquefied gas applications and continues adapting its compressor technology for low-carbon value chains. - Andreas Brautsch, President Systems Division at Burckhardt Compression, said industrial-scale CO2 transport is becoming a cornerstone of commercially viable CCS solutions. Between the lines: - The deal signals that equipment suppliers are preparing for a larger CCS market, not just isolated pilot deployments. - Northern Lights is becoming a reference case for cross-border CO2 logistics in Europe. - The order also reinforces the role of shipping-based CO2 transport where pipeline buildouts lag demand. What’s next: - Northern Lights is expanding its transport and storage capacity in response to rising demand from European industry. - The project will continue using an onshore terminal in Øygarden, Norway, as the receiving point for shipped CO2. - Burckhardt Compression will support the first generation of industrial-scale LCO2 carriers for the project. - The company is positioning its compressor technology for future decarbonization projects as CCS deployment grows. The bottom line: - The contract gives Burckhardt Compression a stake in the next phase of CCS: moving captured carbon at industrial scale, not just proving the concept.