LBC Tank Terminals (LBC), Associated British Ports (ABP) and North Sea Port have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) terminal and shipping corridor connecting Northwest Europe with the UK. This will enable captured CO2 from industrial regions to be transported to secure storage, representing a vital step toward decarbonizing energy generation and heavy industry while creating a new cross-border market for CO2.
The MOU sets the stage for a collaborative effort to develop shipping routes for captured CO2, enabling hard-to-abate sectors to cut emissions while positioning storage terminals and ports as key players in the green economy.
LBC provides operational expertise and infrastructure for temporary storage and shipment of captured CO2, while ABP contributes UK storage capacity through its planned CCS terminal at the Port of Immingham, linked to the Viking CCS cluster. North Sea Port, comprising a wide variety of industries looking into different decarbonization routes, actively supports CCS projects through its strategic location and network. Together, the partners aim to deliver scalable solutions that accelerate the energy transition and will focus their collaboration on:
- Designing port infrastructure for CO2 handling, storage and shipping
- Building a robust value chain for CO2 transport between ABP’s Humber ports and North Sea Port
- Driving innovation and efficiencies in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) related transportation
Henrik Pedersen, CEO of ABP, says: ‘Ports have always been gateways for energy. Today, they are at the forefront of the energy transition. This agreement is about building the infrastructure and partnerships needed to decarbonize industry and create new opportunities for sustainable growth. It paves the way for the UK to utilize its world leading geological assets to provide near-term options for emissions reductions across Europe and realize significant export potential for the UK. This is not just about reducing emissions – it’s about creating a new market for carbon shipping that will help Europe meet its climate goals and secure industrial competitiveness at pace.’
The North Sea offers significant geological capacity for permanent CO2 storage, and shipping provides flexibility in connecting emitters to those sites. Studies, including recent analysis by the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), indicate that a pan-European CO2 market, including the UK, could reduce overall costs through scale and proximity of storage locations. By linking inland industrial regions, terminals, and offshore storage, the partners see this MOU as a step toward the practical implementation of cross-border carbon transport solutions that support both European and UK climate objectives.
Cas König, CEO of North Sea Port, says: ‘Our sustainability ambition is clear: a net zero port by 2050. To this end, we are creating connecting infrastructure with our partners. Carbon shipping is an essential additional and flexible link in the chain of industrial decarbonization. By signing this MoU with ABP and LBC, we are taking a practical step to investigate a cross‑border CO2 corridor that connects emitters to certified storage in the North Sea. Leveraging our shared port infrastructure and maritime expertise, we aim to cut costs, accelerate deployment, and ensure the energy transition strengthens—not weakens—Europe’s industrial competitiveness.’
‘Signing this MoU is about moving from vision to tangible progress. By combining LBC’s operational expertise in safe and sustainable storage with the port capabilities of ABP and North Sea Port, we can design an efficient, scalable shipping corridor that connects European emitters to UK storage at pace, supporting a competitive, cross‑border CO2 market,’ says Radboud Godron, group business development director New Energies at LBC Tank Terminals.
LBC’s terminal in Vlissingen is positioned as a central hub in this network. With direct access to the North Sea and strong connectivity to industrial regions across Northwest Europe, the terminal is optimally positioned for storage and onward shipment of captured CO2.
