STAX Engineering has taken a significant step into the UK market, joining a consortium that has won £1.1 million (~$1.5 million) in government funding to deliver PortZero — Europe’s first port-based emissions capture and control project.
The award comes through the UK Department for Transport’s sixth Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6) and is led by carbon capture innovator Seabound, in partnership with Associated British Ports (ABP) and Lomar Shipping.
The PortZero project will demonstrate how ports can drastically cut emissions without costly ship retrofits or major infrastructure overhauls.
“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 UK government’s investment in PortZero proves there’s real demand for technology that delivers immediate results without forcing ports to choose between operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.”
Relevant: STAX And Seabound Unveil Game-Changing Carbon Capture System
The approach integrates Seabound’s onboard carbon capture technology with STAX’s proven mobile emissions control barge, offering a ready-to-deploy solution for both air quality improvement and maritime decarbonization.
It also presents an alternative to shore power installations, which remain underdeveloped across Europe, with only about 20% of required capacity built or commissioned under EU rules.
Accelerating Clean Maritime Technology in the UK
Backed by the UK Government’s £236 million (~$320 million) UK SHORE (Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions) program and administered by Innovate UK, CMDC6 is channeling over £30 million (~$41 million) into 71 projects aimed at driving maritime decarbonization and advancing smart shipping systems.
STAX and Seabound’s combined system is the first of its kind to offer near-total emissions mitigation from berthed vessels, capturing up to 99% of particulate matter, 95% of nitrogen oxides, 95% of carbon dioxide, and 90% of sulphur emissions.
The technology will be piloted at ABP’s Port of Southampton, using vessels operated by UK-based Lomar Shipping.
Read more: SLB Wins Contract To Support Carbon Storage For UK East Coast Cluster
