Largest Ports in California Implement Air Pollution Monitoring for Ships

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are busy with container ships and car carriers, causing air pollution and health issues for residents. Startup STAX Engineering has deployed a system to capture and filter exhaust from ships, removing pollutants and releasing a cleaner gas. The California Air Resources Board has issued regulations to reduce ship emissions at berth by connecting to shore power, but retrofitting ships and terminals is a costly and time-consuming challenge. STAX’s system is an alternative for ships unable to connect to shore power, and the company aims to expand its operations to other ports.

The company charges shippers to use its system and plans to build more vessels to serve every port in California. Their ultimate goal is to modify the system to capture CO2 in addition to air pollution. Clean fuels are crucial to reach the shipping industry’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. While the industry transitions to cleaner fuels, emissions capture and control technologies can help reduce emissions from ships. The company’s investors include actor and environmental activist Edward Norton, and they also plan to conduct a carbon capture trial in addition to safety testing on tankers.

The California Air Resources Board regulations apply to container ships but are expected to expand to car carriers and tankers in the future. Ships installing shore power equipment depends on their frequency of visits to California ports, while the industry seeks alternatives to reduce emissions until the transition to cleaner fuels is complete. STAX’s technology has the potential to address air pollution issues at other ports outside of California, and the company is also looking into capturing CO2 emissions as part of its long-term goals.

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