Modular on-board carbon capture for shipping

The technology captures emissions from the ship's engines

Spotted: Shipping accounts for 2.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, prompting efforts by innovators to de-carbonise the industry. There are many ways to achieve this, but one of the most promising is onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS). OCCS involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from ship engines and storing them in solid form, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.

While the technology is still in development, it has the potential to be a low-cost and efficient way solution for the industry. Carbon Ridge, a leading developer of OCCS technology based in Los Angeles, is planning an onboard pilot for 2023. If successful, this could pave the way for widespread adoption of OCCS in the maritime industry, helping to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Ridge provides end-to-end solutions including CO2 transportation, sequestration, and credit monetisation. The company also claims to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from commercial shipping by up to 95 per cent. Compared to conventional CCS tech, the company says it provides up to a 75 per cent reduction in equipment size and volume.

The company recently raised $6 million (around €6.05 million) in funding from the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, leading US-based shipping and logistics company Crowley, and Berge Bulk, among others.

Recent innovations spotted by Springwise that reduce maritime emissions include smaller, electric-powered ships that use a battery-swapping system, a cleantech company that gathers real-time data on marine emissions and the use of satellite data to power AI-optimised navigation. 

Written By: Katrina Lane