STAX Engineering brings ships emissions technology to the UK

Southampton to pilot carbon capture for docked ships in PortZero project

CALIFORNIA cleantech STAX Engineering is set to bring its innovative emissions control and capture technology for maritime vessels to the UK, following a £1.1m (US$1.5m) government grant.

STAX is expanding its partnership with UK carbon capture startup Seabound to develop an integrated solution aimed at reducing air pollutants and CO2 emissions from the shipping sector. Together, they will collaborate on the Southampton-based PortZero project. In partnership with Associated British Ports (ABP) and Lomar Shipping, PortZero will target emissions reduction from berthed vessels – making Southampton the first UK port to deploy a system that captures both CO2 and air pollutants directly from docked ships.

Mike Hawkins, the CEO of STAX Engineering, said: “Around 20% of emissions produced by a vessel is from when it is berthed. This is low-hanging fruit for carbon capture, and we should take advantage”

The maritime sector is responsible for 3% of human-made greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). Emissions are heavily concentrated in port areas, which contribute up to 15% of the sector’s total output.