STAX Engineering obtains £1.1 million to boost UK emissions

STAX Engineering is boosting its UK presence through a £1.1 million ($1.5 million) government grant awarded to a consortium led by carbon capture startup Seabound.

STAX Engineering obtains £1.1 million to boost UK emissions

The project marks STAX’s first major European venture. The consortium includes Seabound, port operator Associated British Ports (ABP), and Lomar Shipping.

The initiative, called PortZero, aims to reduce emissions from berthed vessels and improve air quality in port communities.

It tackles a critical maritime challenge: decarbonising port operations without costly vessel retrofits or infrastructure changes.

PortZero integrates Seabound’s carbon capture technology with STAX’s emissions control barge. This solution provides a practical and cost-effective alternative to shore power. Shore power needs large upfront investments and remains mostly unbuilt in European ports.

Mike Walker, CEO of STAX Engineering, said: “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. Our message is simple: clean air can’t wait, and with this technology, it doesn’t have to.”

The UK Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6) supports this project.

The competition aims to speed up clean maritime technology development. It is supported by the £236 million ($319 million) UK SHORE programme and Innovate UK.

CMDC6 has allocated over £30 million ($40 million) to 71 projects focused on maritime decarbonisation.

Max Harris, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at ABP, added: “Sustainability and innovation are key themes as ABP helps its customers to adapt to the changing environment. We are excited to explore the potential of this innovative solution as we pursue ever better air quality at our ports and support maritime decarbonisation.”

In May, Wärtsilä announced that its carbon capture solution (CCS) is now commercially available to the global maritime industry.