Today marked a major milestone in global efforts to reduce maritime emissions. At a joint event at the Port of Long Beach in California, STAX and our partner, UK-based Seabound, held a live demonstration of our integrated emissions and carbon capture system—the first of its kind to simultaneously remove particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur, and carbon dioxide (CO2) from a ship’s exhaust.
As event attendees looked on from a catamaran in the port, our combined system—mounted atop a mobile STAX barge—connected to an at-berth roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessel operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean to filter out its emissions. First, STAX’s technology processed PM and NOx directly from the vessel’s exhaust stack, converting the toxic output into purified gas. That gas was then directed into Seabound’s compact carbon capture unit, where carbon emissions and sulfur were isolated and stored.
This first-of-its-kind solution can operate without any modifications needed to vessels or ports—making it a scalable, cost-effective path to meeting expanding emissions regulations such as the International Marine Organization’s order to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2030 and regional efforts like the UK’s recently updated greenhouse gas reduction goals. With few cost-effective solutions available, STAX and Seabound offer a crucial, cost-effective emissions solution for the maritime industry, without requiring vessels or ports to undergo retrofits and costly structural changes.
“Today marks a landmark moment in our journey toward a zero-emissions future, and it’s just the beginning,” said STAX CEO Mike Walker. “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 toward a more sustainable future.”
Demonstration marks completion of system trials
This Carbon Capture Showcase followed a series of rigorous system trials conducted in March and April as part of a CARB- and South Coast AQMD-funded Advanced Technology Demonstration Project.
STAX and Seabound tested the combined system across STAX customer deployments, notably NYK Line and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Environmental consultancy Yorke Engineering independently verified the trial results.
These trials validated what we set out to prove: capturing criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases in tandem is both feasible and commercially viable.
In total, the system can remove:
- 99% of PM
- 95% of NOx
- Up to 95% of CO₂
- 90% of sulfur
What’s Next?
Today’s successful demonstration is just the beginning. STAX is scaling up its carbon capture offering, backed by $70 million in funding for fleetwide integration and international expansion.
Together with Seabound, we’re already exploring a collaboration with Associated British Ports at the Port of Southampton in the UK. We’re excited to be able to deliver an immediate, practical path to comprehensively reducing emissions.
Interested in learning more? Get in touch with our team.
