Shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), Hitachi, and Japan Airlines (JAL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch Japan’s first pilot test for Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology.
Located on Kume Island, the project will test technology that extracts and separates CO2 dissolved directly in seawater, establishing baseline data on operational performance and coastal environmental impacts.
The trial will utilize containerized equipment installed on land, drawing in surrounding seawater to isolate captured carbon.
Kume Island was selected for its existing concentration of marine research expertise and clean energy projects, including Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion initiatives.
The three corporate partners previously invested in US-based DOC developer Captura, using this trial as the first step toward commercializing the technology in Japan.
Building A Domestic Carbon Economy For Synthetic Aviation Fuels
Establishing a domestic carbon removal ecosystem is seen as a strategic priority for Japan, helping reduce long-term costs associated with importing overseas carbon credits.
Beyond validating the technology, the consortium plans to evaluate downstream applications for the captured carbon, with a primary focus on producing synthetic fuels such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (E-SAF).
The initiative aims to build a self-sufficient, island-based carbon economy where captured marine CO2 serves directly as a feedstock for industrial use and transportation fuels.
The partners also intend to leverage the pilot project for local environmental education and public engagement as engineered carbon removal technologies gain broader traction.
Read more: Captura Wins Supplier Deal For eSAF Plant In France Using Ocean-Captured CO2
