Calcarea and Aurelia Design have agreed to develop ocean-based carbon capture technology for use in commercial shipping.
The companies will work together to incorporate Calcarea’s limestone weathering process into the design of bulk carrier vessels. Aurelia, on its part, will be responsible for naval architecture, engineering, and integration of the system.
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The collaboration centres on a method where carbon dioxide reacts with limestone and seawater, producing bicarbonates that are retained in the ocean.
Calcarea’s reactor is designed to accelerate this process on board ships, making use of the continuous circulation of seawater typical in maritime operations.
Both firms plan to create a new bulk carrier design that houses the carbon removal reactor and supporting components within the ship’s framework.
Calcarea co-founder and chief technology officer Pierre Forin said: “We see shipping as one of the most natural environments for large-scale carbon removal.
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By GlobalData“Ships operate surrounded by seawater — the very medium our process uses. Partnering with Aurelia allows us to bridge science and engineering and turn our technology into a deployable maritime system.”
The collaboration will address aspects such as seawater flow management, water intake and discharge points, and hull configuration to ensure vessel performance is maintained.
The companies indicate that these modifications will not reduce cargo capacity.
A feasibility and concept study is currently in progress, examining the technical and operational requirements for implementation.
Subsequent stages will include further engineering and system validation as the project moves towards regulatory approval and demonstration.
The initiative is positioned by both companies as a nature-based approach to carbon capture aligned with existing ship operations.
Aurelia founder and CEO Raffaele Frontera said: “What makes this collaboration exciting is that it’s not just another retrofit — it’s a new generation of clean ship design built around a truly regenerative technology.
“Calcarea brings a breakthrough CO₂ capture process, and Aurelia brings the design and system expertise to make it practical, class-compliant, and ready for industry adoption.”
