The Schulte Group is set to take delivery of its first liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carrier. The vessel was officially named Northern Purpose on May 19, 2026, marking a significant step in the group's strategic expansion into shipping services related to carbon capture and storage.

“Northern Purpose” held its naming ceremony at DSOC.

The Northern Purpose was constructed by DSOC and is custom-designed for the transportation of liquefied CO₂. It forms part of the "Northern Lights" project, the world's first cross-border CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure initiative. Upon delivery, the vessel will operate under a long-term time charter, supporting the safe and efficient transport of CO₂ captured from industrial emitters in Northern Europe to Norway for permanent geological storage.

Johann Schulte, Owner and CCO of Schulte Group:

"The addition of this LCO₂ carrier represents a major step for the Schulte Group's owned fleet into this innovative gas carrier segment. We are honored to participate in the landmark Northern Lights project by providing critical CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure. This close collaboration with our selected partner, DSOC, also reaffirms our long-standing and strong relationship with Chinese shipyards."

Tim Heijn, Managing Director of Northern Lights:

"We welcome the Northern Purpose to the world's first dedicated CO₂ carrier fleet. The delivery of this vessel marks an important step in expanding the transport capacity needed to support Europe's decarbonization. We look forward to working with Schulte in the years ahead to provide safe, efficient, and reliable operations."

Sun Yingzhi, Chairman of DSOC:

"The construction of this vessel represents another milestone for DSOC in the LCO₂ carrier segment and is a testament to the successful cooperation between DSOC and Schulte Group. We are honored to enhance Schulte's fleet with this state-of-the-art vessel. DSOC is committed to continuing its partnership with Schulte and Northern Lights, jointly driving development in the global green and clean energy sector and promoting high-quality growth in international shipping."

The newbuilding is the Schulte Group's first vessel of this type in its owned fleet and also constitutes the fourth LCO₂ carrier for Northern Lights. The four vessels are identical sister ships built to a unified design, each featuring a cargo tank capacity of 7,500 cubic metres, equipped with two full-pressure Type C cargo tanks constructed from specialized materials. The series is designed for the safe carriage of CO₂ under low-temperature, medium-pressure conditions, ensuring operational reliability across the entire transport chain. These vessels are also the first in the world to operate on such a route, tasked with transporting CO₂ from European emissions sources to the Northern Lights receiving terminal in Øygarden, Norway, for final permanent storage in geological formations beneath the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The Northern Purpose incorporates a suite of advanced technologies aimed at reducing its operational carbon footprint. The vessel is powered by an LNG dual-fuel main engine and features multiple proven technologies, including rotor sails and an air lubrication system, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions during voyages.

The ship is managed by BSM. The Northern Purpose marks BSM's entry into the LCO₂ carrier management segment, adding a new vessel type to its global fleet of over 670 ships under management.