Images Credit : Seabound

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most pressing challenges facing the maritime industry today. With the shipping sector contributing approximately 3% of global CO₂ emissions, the need for effective emission control solutions is critical. As global regulations tighten and stakeholders increasingly demand sustainable practices, start-up Seabound offers an innovative onboard carbon capture system designed specifically for ships. Seabound’s carbon capture system is a retrofittable solution that can be integrated onto existing vessels with minimal disruption.

Based in London, Seabound was founded by Alisha Fredriksson in 2021. The company developed a compact carbon capture system that utilizes a process known as calcium looping. This technology captures CO₂ emissions from a ship’s exhaust and converts them into solid calcium carbonate pebbles, which can be offloaded at port for reuse or sale. To enable this system to function onboard, Seabound has introduced a carbon capture reactor that attaches to the smokestacks of ships, enabling it to capture carbon emissions directly at their source. The onboard system employs porous calcium oxide pebbles that absorb CO₂ from the ship’s exhaust. After docking, the collected CO₂ is unloaded for additional processing. This novel method of capturing CO₂ allows cargo ship owners to incur lower expenses than existing solutions, as they do not have to invest in new ships and can even earn income from selling the captured CO₂.

Seabound has received financial support through various funding initiatives, including £1.2 million ($1.5 million) in grant funding from the UK Government as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. This funding reflects the growing recognition of the importance of sustainable practices in maritime operations and supports the development of innovative carbon capture technologies. Seabound has collaborated with various industry players to enhance the effectiveness and reach of its technology. The pilot project was conducted in collaboration with Lomar Shipping and supported by Hapag-Lloyd, demonstrating a commitment to innovation within the shipping industry. The system received approval for onboard testing from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards.

With its innovative carbon capture system demonstrating significant efficiency during pilot tests, Seabound is positioning itself to offer a practical solution that enables shipowners to take immediate action toward sustainability. As global pressure mounts for the shipping sector to decarbonize, technologies like those developed by Seabound will play a crucial role in shaping a cleaner future for maritime transport without waiting for future fuel innovations to materialize.

References

Seabound. (n.d.). https://www.seabound.co/

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L, J. (2022, August 26). Seabound Revolutionizing Carbon Capture for Ships with Pebbles. Carbon Credits. https://carboncredits.com/seabound-revolutionizing-carbon-capture-for-ships-with-pebbles/

Contributor : Ariana tri Asti

Reviewer : Imam Buchari