Alisha Fredriksson, CEO of the UK-based climate tech startup Seabound, is on a mission to combat the climate crisis through innovation. Her goal is clear: to make a significant and immediate impact in decarbonizing the shipping industry.
“I admit, I’m an impatient person,” Fredriksson says. “For me, the pace of change in shipping’s efforts to decarbonize is simply too slow.”
The global shipping sector, responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, faces a daunting challenge in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. While solutions are emerging, there is still a long road ahead. Seabound’s contribution is a compact, onboard carbon capture system designed to retrofit existing cargo ships—a scalable solution Fredriksson believes could drive substantial progress.
A Revolutionary Approach to Carbon Capture
Seabound’s technology fits within standard shipping containers, offering a practical and adaptable solution for ships of various sizes. The system channels engine exhaust through a container filled with calcium oxide, or lime, which reacts with the CO2 to form limestone. “Imagine a container filled with rocks,” Fredriksson explains. “The exhaust gases flow through, the CO2 is absorbed, and the rest is released.”
This streamlined process avoids the need for energy-intensive steps like separating, purifying, or compressing CO2 onboard. Instead, those tasks are deferred to port facilities, minimizing energy use on the ship. Once the vessel reaches its destination, the limestone-filled pebbles can either undergo treatment to recover the CO2 for reuse or recycling, or they can be repurposed as construction material.
Seabound’s early trials have been promising. Tests aboard a mid-sized container ship demonstrated the system could capture 80% of the CO2 emissions and 90% of sulfur pollutants. The company now aims to launch commercially by late 2025, with ongoing discussions to partner with major shipping companies.
Practicality Meets Scalability
Founded in 2021 by Fredriksson and co-founder Roujia Wen, Seabound offers a relatively simple retrofit solution. The system connects directly to a ship’s exhaust and is designed to occupy minimal cargo space—typically less than 1% of a vessel’s carrying capacity. Containers can be scaled according to the ship’s CO2 capture goals.
The business model also emphasizes long-term sustainability. At ports, pebbles can undergo a reverse reaction—heated in kilns to release the absorbed CO2, allowing the lime to be reused. Alternatively, the limestone pebbles can be utilized in applications like concrete or road construction, though further research is needed to determine their suitability for different uses.
Fredriksson, who previously launched a maritime green fuel company and a climate program for a global nonprofit, sees this dual-use potential as a strength. “We’re building a system that works with today’s infrastructure while contributing to broader decarbonization goals.”
Challenges in the Race to Decarbonize
Despite the optimism surrounding onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS), the technology faces hurdles. A separate trial by the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation highlighted significant costs—$13.6 million for installing a prototype OCCS—and operational challenges such as increased fuel consumption and limited port infrastructure for CO2 handling.
Fredriksson believes Seabound’s simplified system offers an advantage over traditional OCCS by shifting complex processes off the ship. “Our approach reduces onboard costs and complexity, making it easier to scale.”
However, the global shipping industry’s lack of regulatory frameworks and infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck. The adoption of OCCS will require international cooperation and investment, particularly as companies explore alternative technologies, such as those that discharge CO2 into the sea as carbonate-rich water.
A Bridge to a Greener Future
Experts are divided on the long-term viability of OCCS. While some see it as a temporary solution until hydrogen-based fuels like green ammonia become cost-effective, others view it as an essential step in the near term.
Faisal Khan, a chemical engineering professor at Texas A&M University, suggests that carbon capture systems could become as ubiquitous as catalytic converters in the automotive industry. However, he acknowledges challenges. “The efficiency of these systems is hindered by impurities in the exhaust gases. Yet, technologies like Seabound’s, which mimic natural processes, hold significant promise.”
Seabound is already planning for the future. “Our vision is to capture carbon on any type of ship, anywhere in the world,” Fredriksson says. While onboard carbon capture may not be the ultimate solution, it represents an important step toward decarbonizing the global fleet.
As the shipping industry navigates its transition to net zero, innovations like Seabound’s offer hope. Whether through retrofits, alternative fuels, or a combination of both, the race to decarbonize is accelerating—and entrepreneurs like Fredriksson are determined to lead the charge.
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