Gulf Trade: Top Carriers and Ports

Special Report

US support for carbon capture in question as Gulf Coast projects boom

By Autumn Cafiero Giusti

The development of carbon capture and storage( CCS) facilities is gaining momentum along the US Gulf Coast, and the buildout could generate a windfall of project cargo and breakbulk shipments.

But the future of these projects could be at a crossroads in the US as federal energy priorities under the Trump administration are at odds when it comes to CCS. A climate mitigation strategy favored by the oil and gas industry, CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide emitted from power plants and factories and storing it underground.

The Gulf Coast accounts for 56 % of US permit applications for underground carbon injection wells, known as Class VI wells, with 147 applications for sites across Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, according to data from the Global CCS Institute.

“ These could present new commercial opportunities, especially for the Gulf Coast.”

Jared Daniels, CEO of the Global CCS Institute, said the region’ s carbon capture and storage boom could provide a significant source of project and breakbulk cargo as it would create a need to transport and install components including compressors, pumps, pipelines, chemical plant equipment, heavy machinery and raw materials.

There are also opportunities for transporting carbon dioxide captured from operational facilities. Daniels said although pipelines are the most common mode of CO2 transport, there is substantial research and development activity underway globally to create the potential to transport large volumes of CO2 by ship for storage purposes.

“ These could present new commercial opportunities, especially for the Gulf Coast, given the region’ s ports, infrastructure and CO2 storage resources,” he said.

The Trump administration has been working to dismantle policies and resources that support environmental, social and governance( ESG) initiatives, including zero-carbon goals. But the administration has also prioritized support for the oil and gas industry, which is backing

Heirloom Carbon Technologies

40 Journal of Commerce | April 7, 2025 www. joc. com