Alisha Fredriksson, CEO of the UK-based climate tech startup Seabound, has a clear mission: tackle the climate crisis and make a significant impact. Her company is pioneering an onboard carbon capture system designed specifically for cargo ships, aiming to address the shipping industry’s environmental challenges. With global shipping contributing about 3% of greenhouse gas emissions and a target to achieve net zero by 2050, innovative solutions like Seabound’s are crucial.
A Natural Process for Carbon Capture
Seabound’s technology, housed in standard shipping containers, captures CO2 emissions from ship engines through a process inspired by natural oceanic reactions. Inside the container, exhaust gases pass through calcium oxide pebbles (lime), which absorb CO2 and convert it into limestone. This straightforward process avoids energy-intensive steps like separating or compressing CO2 onboard, shifting these tasks to specialized onshore facilities.
Once ships dock, the pebbles can be processed to extract CO2 for reuse or recycled into construction materials. This flexibility makes the system versatile and sustainable, addressing the industry’s need for practical decarbonization methods. Early tests have demonstrated the device’s ability to capture 80% of carbon emissions and 90% of sulfur pollutants, setting the stage for commercial deployment by 2025.
Retrofitting for the Existing Fleet
Fredriksson, who co-founded Seabound in 2021, envisions the system as a cost-effective retrofit for existing ships. The setup requires minimal onboard space—less than 1% of cargo capacity—and integrates easily into engine exhaust systems. The captured CO2 can either be processed for reuse or turned into limestone for construction.
This closed-loop model reduces the need for additional fuel or energy, making the system highly efficient. By providing a scalable solution, Seabound addresses the urgent need to retrofit approximately 100,000 ships currently contributing to global CO2 emissions.
Challenges and Opportunities
The road to widespread adoption isn’t without obstacles. High initial costs for installation and a lack of port infrastructure for handling CO2 are significant barriers. Additionally, the impurities in exhaust gases can reduce the efficiency of carbon capture. However, Fredriksson remains optimistic, highlighting that Seabound’s simplified approach reduces costs and enhances scalability compared to traditional carbon capture methods.
Collaboration with other emerging technologies could further improve efficiency. For instance, integrating Seabound’s system with innovations like Calcarea’s process, which discharges CO2 into the sea as carbonate-rich water, might double onboard CO2 capture using the same materials.
A Step Towards Decarbonization
While some experts view onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS) as a transitional solution until alternative fuels like green ammonia become viable, others see their potential as a near-term necessity. Industry leaders believe such systems could become mandatory, much like catalytic converters in the automobile industry.
Seabound’s innovative approach represents a promising step toward decarbonizing shipping. As Fredriksson aptly notes, “Shipping isn’t moving fast enough to decarbonize.” With bold ideas and scalable technology, Seabound is positioning itself as a leader in the race to combat climate change in the maritime sector.
