Shell taps maritime emissions capture firm to tackle pollution from ships

STAX Engineering, a U.S.-based maritime emissions capture and control company, has entered into a five-year agreement with Equilon Enterprises (doing business as Shell Oil Products US) for emissions capture and control for tankers within the Port of Los Angeles.

As informed, STAX will begin implementing its emissions capture services at Shell’s Mormon Island Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles from 2025. STAX’s emission capture and control solution offers an alternative to shore power for emissions reduction for tankers. 

According to the company, the agreement will make STAX the first and only emissions control provider to service tanker vessels in California.

Specifically, STAX offers land- and barge-based, mobile emissions capture and control technology to shipping terminal and fleet operators without needing additional retrofits. The exhaust capture system is designed to fit all ships without modification, even in the most congested ports.

The firm claims that the technology removes 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from all exhaust funneled into its system before the exhaust is released as purified gas. 

The provider has already secured service agreements at major California ports, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hueneme, Benicia, Richmond, and Oakland.

Additionally, STAX has partnered with shipping companies like Japanese shipowner NYK Line and South Korean Hyundai Glovis. NYK will use STAX Engineering’s emissions capture and control technology to recover exhaust gases from car carriers.

“We are proud to extend our cutting-edge emissions capture and control services to the Mormon Island Terminal. This agreement is a significant milestone in our mission to provide affordable and accessible solutions to port communities, helping them achieve their environmental goals without disrupting operations. As we expand our presence in California, we look forward to bringing our technology to ports across North America and beyond,” said Mike Walker, Chief Executive Officer, STAX.