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STAX Engineering Builds UK Momentum with £1.1M Government Grant for First European Port Emissions Capture and Control Project

LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STAX Engineering is building momentum in the UK market, participating in a consortium that secured £1.1 million (US$1.5 million) in government funding led by carbon capture startup Seabound for its first major European project. The maritime emissions capture and control pioneer has been awarded the grant through the UK Department for Transport's sixth round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC6) as part of "PortZero," a four-company consortium with Seabound, port operator Associated British Ports (ABP), and Lomar Shipping.

The PortZero project—"Enabling Zero-Emission Ports via Carbon and Air Pollution Capture from Berthed Vessels"—tackles one of the maritime industry's most pressing challenges: decarbonizing port operations while improving air quality in port communities. By integrating Seabound's carbon capture technology onto STAX's proven emissions capture and control barge, the project will demonstrate how ports can achieve comprehensive emissions reductions without costly vessel retrofits or new infrastructure investments. The solution provides a practical, cost-effective alternative to shore power installations, which require significant upfront capital, aren't viable for all vessel types, and remain largely unbuilt—with major European ports having installed or commissioned only 20% required by EU regulations.

"This project validates what we've known for years—ports need emissions solutions that work today without the infrastructure disruptions caused by solutions like shore power," said Mike Walker, CEO of STAX Engineering. ...