Novel Emissions Filtering & Carbon Capture Technology Demonstrated On At-Berth Ships

A combination of two novel technologies - emissions filtering and carbon capture - has been successfully demonstrated during a showcase at the Port of Long Beach in California. 

The technology - which has been dubbed ‘integrated emissions and carbon capture’ - has been jointly developed by STAX Engineering, a California-based pioneer in maritime emissions capture, and Seabound, a UK-based leader in onboard carbon capture. 

It combines STAX’s mobile emissions control unit - which removes 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) - with Seabound’s compact, cost-effective carbon capture technology. Connecting directly to a vessel’s exhaust pipe, STAX technology first removes pollutants, turning the exhaust into purified gas. 

This gas is then directed through Seabound’s capture unit, isolating and storing up to 95% of carbon and 90% of sulphur before releasing the cleaned exhaust.

The technology delivers an end-to-end solution that addresses both criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases. It is hoped that the tech will be adopted by maritime operators that are seeking an immediate, practical path to meet their tightening environmental compliance obligations. 

A recent showcase of the integrated emissions and carbon capture technology took place at the Port of Long Beach. It saw the combined system servicing an at-berth container ship from Wallenius Wilhelmsen, filtering out harmful pollutants including PM and NOx, as well as capture carbon dioxide directly from the vessel’s exhaust.

Given that there are currently few viable options for eliminating emissions from vessels at berth, the combined tech from STAX and Seabound represents a genuine breakthrough. As some have characterised it, they are ‘providing the first comprehensive, cost-effective emissions solution for the maritime industry, without requiring vessels or ports to undergo retrofits and costly structural changes’. 

Commenting on the showcase, Mike Walker, the CEO of STAX, said: 

“Today marks a landmark moment in our journey towards a zero-emissions future, and it’s just the beginning. As we expand our carbon capture capabilities across the fleet, our inaugural partnership with Seabound has been instrumental. The growing demand from our customers reinforces our commitment to leading the maritime sector towards a more sustainable future”.

Walker’s comments were added to by Alisha Fredriksson, co-founder and CEO of Seabound: 

“Our partnership demonstrates that effective, scalable emissions solutions are a reality that we can implement now. Our collaboration with STAX proves that by leveraging innovative onboard carbon capture, we can make a tangible difference on a global scale and provide the maritime industry with the tools vital for a sustainable future”.

Be fit for the future with Brookes Bell

If you want your vessels to be running at their best, then choose Brookes Bell’s technical management services. 

Our technical management services include the provision of tailored audits to assess manager performance, ensuring peace of mind and assurance that your vessel is being managed to the highest possible standards and in line with best practice principles and processes.

Find out more about Brookes Bell’s technical management services now

For more maritime industry insights, news and information, read the Brookes Bell News and Knowledge Hub…

UK Government Aims for Net Zero Shipping by 2050 | Steel Corrosion Contributing to Carbon Emissions | ‘Exhaust Sucking’ Barges Could Help Reduce Emissions at Ports