UK Ports to Trial Carbon Capture Tech on Ships

Large black exhaust pipes designed to trap harmful emissions will soon be seen on ships in Europe, thanks to UK government funding that is helping bring California-based STAX Engineering’s carbon capture system to British ports.

STAX is collaborating with UK onboard carbon capture company Seabound, along with Associated British Ports (ABP) and Lomar Shipping, to reduce emissions from vessels while they are docked.

According to STAX, this approach offers a cost-effective and practical alternative to shore power systems, which require major investment, cannot accommodate every vessel type, and remain underdeveloped—European ports have installed or ordered only about 20% of the capacity required by EU law.

“This project validates what we’ve known for years—ports need emissions solutions that work today without the infrastructure disruptions caused by solutions like shore power,” said Mike Walker, CEO of STAX Engineering.

The combined STAX–Seabound system, first demonstrated at California’s Port of Long Beach in April, is designed for immediate use without costly retrofits. STAX’s mobile barge captures up to 99% of particulate matter and 95% of nitrogen oxides (NOx), while Seabound’s unit separates and stores up to 95% of carbon dioxide and 90% of sulphur emissions.

The technology is set to make its European debut at ABP’s Southampton port, where it will be tested with vessels operated by UK-based Lomar Shipping.