Cargo Ship Converts CO2 Emissions Into Green Cement
▼ Summary
– A UK startup, Seabound, has developed the world’s first commercial carbon capture system for ships, installed on the UBC Cork cement carrier.
– The system traps CO₂ from ship exhaust using calcium hydroxide pebbles, converting it into limestone for cement production in Norway.
– Seabound claims its technology can capture up to 95% of CO₂ and 98% of sulphur emissions, offering a modular solution for existing vessels.
– Shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global emissions, and alternative fuels like hydrogen are still years away, making Seabound’s tech an interim solution.
– Seabound aims to scale its systems to capture 100 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2040, backed by EU funding and maritime partners.
A pioneering cargo vessel is now transforming its carbon emissions into sustainable cement, marking a major breakthrough in maritime decarbonization. The innovative system, developed by UK-based Seabound, represents the first commercially viable carbon capture technology for ships. Currently operating aboard the UBC Cork, a cement carrier owned by Germany’s Hartmann Group, this solution could redefine how the shipping industry tackles its environmental footprint.
Seabound’s CEO Alisha Fredriksson emphasizes the urgency of scaling such technologies across global fleets. “This isn’t just a prototype, it’s a working system designed to prove that onboard carbon capture is achievable today,” she explains. The company aims to refine the technology through real-world data while demonstrating its viability to an industry under increasing pressure to reduce emissions.
At the heart of the system lies a high-pressure chamber filled with calcium hydroxide pebbles. As exhaust gases from the ship’s engines pass through, carbon dioxide reacts with the pebbles, converting into calcium carbonate, the primary component of limestone. This material, essential for cement production, is stored onboard before being transported to a Heidelberg Materials plant in Norway. There, it integrates into an existing carbon capture infrastructure to manufacture lower-emission concrete.
Seabound reports impressive capture rates of up to 95% for CO₂ and 98% for sulfur emissions. Its modular design allows retrofitting onto existing vessels without extensive modifications, offering a practical stopgap while the industry transitions to cleaner fuels. However, the company acknowledges that fossil fuel alternatives remain critical for long-term sustainability.
Maritime transport contributes roughly 3% of global emissions, yet decarbonizing the sector presents unique challenges. Batteries lack the capacity for long-haul voyages, and nuclear propulsion, though theoretically viable, faces regulatory and public acceptance hurdles. While hydrogen and ammonia emerge as promising zero-emission fuels, their widespread adoption hinges on new vessel designs and infrastructure, a process likely to take decades.
Fredriksson underscores the immediate need for solutions: “The industry can’t wait for perfect alternatives. We must act now with available technologies to curb emissions.” Seabound has already conducted trials with major shipping firms like Hapag-Lloyd and Lomar Shipping, setting an ambitious target to capture 100 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2040, equivalent to 10% of the sector’s total output.
This commercial deployment, supported by the EU’s Eurostars program and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, signals a tangible step toward greener shipping. By turning exhaust into a usable product, Seabound’s approach not only reduces emissions but also creates economic value, a compelling case for wider industry adoption.
!Seabound’s carbon capture system installed on a cargo ship Seabound’s modular carbon capture unit, designed for retrofitting onto existing vessels.
As the maritime sector navigates its path to sustainability, innovations like this highlight the potential for interim solutions to drive meaningful progress. While the journey to zero-emission shipping remains complex, technologies that bridge the gap could prove indispensable in the years ahead.
(Source: The Next Web)
