Green tech companies partner on barge-based emission capture and control project

Provider of clean energy technologies e1 Marine and maritime emissions capture and control company STAX Engineering have entered into a partnership to advance emission capture and control technology for ocean-going vessels. 

As disclosed, this collaboration aims to accelerate the maritime industry’s decarbonization by combining e1 Marine’s methanol-to-hydrogen power systems (M2PWR) with STAX’s emissions capture and control (C&C) technology.

As part of this initiative, e1 Marine will install its M2PWR onto STAX’s barges. The system will supplement their onboard power needs to demonstrate that emissions capture and control for maritime vessels can be sustainable.

STAX technology is expected to reduce the pollution from the ocean-going vessels, and e1 Marine’s M2PWR will further enhance the cleanliness of STAX’s power sources, according to the partners.

The patented STAX’s C&C technology can be attached to auxiliary and boiler exhausts across all vessel classes without modification, which is said to remove “99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) before releasing purified gas”.

The project was funded by the South Coast AQMD and California Air Resources Board (CARB) as part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

South Coast AQMD is the grant administrator and partner with STAX and e1 Marine on this technology, which is expected to be deployed in early 2025.

“Partnering with STAX Engineering allows e1 Marine to showcase how our M2PWR system can provide cleaner power for barge operations while in port,” said David Lee, Executive Director of e1 Marine.

“By combining our technical expertise, we will ensure the system meets all regulatory requirements and complies with evolving emissions mandates.“

“Our partnership with e1 Marine highlights our dedication to providing solutions that are both available now and immediately effective for the maritime industry. We’re committed to going beyond emissions compliance, driving the industry toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,” commented Mike Walker, CEO of STAX.

To remind, earlier this year, e1 Marine was acquired by Maritime Partners, a provider of maritime financing solutions primarily focused on Jones Act vessels.

The company has worked with naval design and engineering specialist NAVTEK to develop hydrogen-powered vessels and port applications for the European market.

Last year, it also joined forces with hydrogen fuel cell supplier PowerCell Group and RIX Industries to conduct a string test of their technologies for a 200kW propulsion chain as part of the validation of Maritime Partners’s M/V Hydrogen One inland push boat.