As the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, reducing carbon emissions has become a pressing global priority, particularly for the Maritime Transport Sector which produces significant emissions but plays a crucial role in the global economy. In 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) revised its Green House Gases (GHG) Strategy to include an enhanced common ambition to “reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around, i.e. close to, 2050.” With this as a backdrop, the call for shipowners to use alternative fuels has rung loud and clear, yet the industry is still struggling to find consensus on which fuels will deliver on this ambition. Adoption of the current candidates such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen faces a slew of complications that range from issues including safety, infrastructure and supply shortages to name but a few.

Until such time as truly green alternative fuels can viably replace the current fossil fuels used in shipping, carbon capture is widely seen as an emissions reduction technology that can have an impact today. However, widespread adoption of carbon capture solutions by shipping companies has remained elusive due in part to the cost of retrofitting ships with the required components, and the need for appropriate infrastructure at ports to offload the captured CO2.

With these challenges at hand, how can shipping companies move down a path of reduced carbon emissions in the near term using Carbon Capture technology?

Enter Calcarea, a company working on technology that is emerging as a promising approach to address these issues by harnessing the natural carbon cycle. Calcarea claims their system is compact in size, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. It also outperforms existing marine carbon capture systems by eliminating the need for extensive port infrastructure to handle pure CO₂. This allows vessels to operate independently, significantly enhancing their operational flexibility while contributing to emission reductions.

Calcarea’s technology has been built over a decade of extensive research conducted in leading oceanography and marine engineering laboratories at Caltech and the University of Southern California (USC). The core of their technology is a reactor that employs the principle of “Accelerated Weathering of Limestone.” This innovative reactor captures emissions from point sources, such as industrial plants and ships, and facilitates the safe storage of carbon extracted from the atmosphere. The technology transforms captured CO₂ into stable oceanic bicarbonate, a secure and environmentally friendly form that can reintegrate into the ocean’s natural processes without adverse effects.

Calcarea’s has reportedly secured US $3.5 million in venture funds as of August 2024 and put in place a number collaborations with several academic and corporate partners, such as Propeller, Grantham Foundation, Caltech, lomarlabs, USC, and AltaSea.

While carbon capture and storage is only one piece of the puzzle for reaching the IMO’s net zero ambitions, technologies such as Calcarea’s that can be implemented over the coming years present a tangible opportunity for ship owners to start down their own road to lower emissions.

References:

• Calcarea.com. (2024, May 31). About Calcarea – Calcarea.com. calcarea.com – Accelerating Nature-based Solutions. https://calcarea.com/
• Dinneen, J. (2024, May 22). Ships could store their CO2 emissions in the ocean. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2431941-ships-could-store-their-co2-emissions-in-the-ocean/