Seabound Welcomes Significant Funding for Carbon Capture Initiatives
Seabound, a prominent player in the marine carbon capture sector, has recently been awarded a £1.1 million grant as part of the UK Government's Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. In partnership with STAX Engineering and Associated British Ports (ABP), this grant aims to support pioneering efforts in creating a combined carbon and emissions capture system at ports, specifically targeting scalable solutions and immediate impact for global maritime operations.
Details of the Grant and Collaborative Efforts
The funding will facilitate an innovative project designed to integrate Seabound's cutting-edge carbon capture technology with STAX's emission capture and control systems. This collaboration aims to develop an advanced solution at a notable UK port, presenting a unique opportunity for the partners to showcase their combined efforts in enhancing the environmental sustainability of port operations.
Seabound and its partners had previously demonstrated the effectiveness of their technology at the Port of Long Beach, California. This earlier success sets the foundation for their current project, marking a significant milestone in maritime decarbonization efforts.
ABP's Commitment to Sustainability
As the UK's largest port operator, ABP has made substantial commitments towards achieving net-zero emissions across its operations by 2040. Through initiatives like its Energy Ventures Accelerator programme, launched in 2024, ABP is harnessing innovative solutions within the clean energy sector, fostering collaborations with startups such as Seabound and STAX. This commitment highlights ABP's role in leading sustainability efforts across supply chains, enhancing emissions reduction technologies.
According to Max Harris, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at ABP, "Sustainability and innovation are essential as we support our customers in adapting to environmental challenges. We anticipate harnessing the potential of this groundbreaking solution to improve air quality at our ports and facilitate maritime decarbonization."
Innovative Technological Solutions for Ports
This initiative positions the UK port as a frontrunner in implementing fully integrated emissions capture solutions, capable of effectively handling multiple pollutants. The Seabound and STAX technology not only captures carbon dioxide emissions but also targets harmful pollutants such as sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides directly from ships. By providing an immediate practical avenue for maritime operators to comply with strict environmental regulations, this system alleviates the need for expensive retrofitting of vessels.
Alisha Fredriksson, CEO and Co-Founder of Seabound, expressed excitement about the project, stating, "This innovative approach represents a global first in combining carbon and air pollution capture at a commercial scale within a port. We are thrilled to join forces with forward-thinking partners like ABP and STAX to create a transformative solution that can reshape maritime operations globally."
Support from lomarlabs
Additionally, Seabound's journey is supported by lomarlabs, a maritime venture lab established to facilitate the growth and commercialization of promising deep-tech maritime startups. Founded by Lomar in March 2023, lomarlabs aims to help companies effectively navigate and address major industry challenges, including the transition to net-zero emissions.
Stylianos Papageorgiou, Managing Director of lomarlabs, emphasized the project's importance, stating, "This project is pivotal for ports and the maritime decarbonization landscape. By incorporating scalable carbon and emissions capture systems, we are paving a straightforward path to cleaner port operations without necessitating ship retrofits. We're proud to support Seabound in this initiative, demonstrating what is achievable through practical innovation inspired by real-world experiences."
Looking Ahead: The Future of Carbon Capture in Maritime Operations
Seabound's advanced carbon capture units, designed to fit within standard shipping containers, will work seamlessly with STAX's emission control systems. This collaborative solution is expected to connect directly with ships' exhaust systems, effectively filtering out up to 99% of particulate matter and substantial percentages of harmful nitrogen oxides. The captured gases will then be treated and stored, significantly mitigating emissions before the reintroduction of cleaned exhaust into the atmosphere.
Mike Walker, CEO of STAX, remarked, "The maritime sector is in urgent need of sustainable solutions that minimize disruption. Our approach offers a viable and effective alternative to conventional shore power, easily deployable across different vessels without the burden of retrofits or new infrastructure costs."
The £1.1 million funding from the CMDC6 will be essential for initiating key preparations for this project. Activities will include testing logistics, refining the next-gen carbon capture systems, and laying the groundwork for a fleet of barges to cover the extensive berths at the port.
Contributions to Maritime Decarbonization
Building upon Seabound's previous achievements, including a notable efficiency rate of 78% CO? capture during prior demonstrations, the company is also advancing its collaborations with major shipping entities like Lomar Shipping. The objective is to enhance their carbon capture initiatives across various fleets, pushing for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
James Lovett, Innovation Lead at Innovate UK, expressed enthusiasm for Seabound's ongoing projects, noting the significant role that UK-led engineering and innovation is playing in addressing challenges in transportation sectors that face tough carbon reduction goals. The outcomes of the current project hold promise for not just the UK maritime sector but could serve as a model globally.
In a statement, Mike Kane, UK Maritime Minister, highlighted the positive implications of investments in green technologies, noting that these developments pave the way for economic growth and advancements toward establishing the UK as a clean energy superpower. The initiative aims for net-zero shipping by 2050, emphasizing the critical need for innovative solutions in achieving this goal.
Ultimately, the groundbreaking project is set to create new skilled job opportunities at the port, in sectors ranging from barge operation to carbon capture maintenance and logistics. ABP's plans to scale these solutions to other ports throughout the UK could establish a replicable model for ports worldwide, advancing the conversation around sustainable maritime practices.
About Seabound
Established in 2021, Seabound has quickly risen to prominence as a leader in onboard carbon capture technologies. The company has successfully demonstrated their revolutionary carbon capture system, focusing on its modular design to optimize performance across diverse vessels. Seabound's ambitious goal of capturing approximately 100 million tonnes of CO? annually by 2040 aims to encompass 10% of emissions from the global shipping industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Seabound's recent grant for?
Seabound has secured a £1.1 million grant to develop a carbon and emissions capture system at ports, in collaboration with STAX Engineering and ABP.
How will this project impact maritime operations?
The project aims to provide an innovative solution for emissions reduction, enabling maritime operators to meet environmental regulations without costly retrofits.
What are the specific technologies being integrated?
The technology includes Seabound's carbon capture systems and STAX's emission capture systems, focusing on filtering out harmful pollutants from ship exhaust.
What is ABP's role in this project?
ABP, as the largest UK port operator, is collaborating on this project and aims for net-zero emissions targets by 2040 while promoting sustainability initiatives.
How does Seabound's solution differ from existing technologies?
Seabound's modular systems are designed for ease of integration with existing ships without requiring significant modifications, offering a scalable and practical approach to emissions capture.
