CARB

Clean Air Engineering-Maritime (CAEM) has secured approval from California air resources board (CARB) for its first commercially ready ship emissions capturing system.

Named the maritime emissions treatment system (METS-1), the new solution can be positioned over vessels’ smoke stacks, and will be capable of capturing and treating more than 90% of particulate matter (PM), NOx, SO2, and related diesel pollutants emitted.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Developed in collaboration with Tri-Mer Corporation of Owosso, the new system is mounted and deployed from a barge positioned alongside ships berthed at the Port of Los Angeles.

CAEM principal Nick Tonsich said: "The METS-1 will have an immediate, direct and positive impact on the communities surrounding the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

" The METS-1 will have an immediate, direct and positive impact on the communities surrounding the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach."

"In the long-term, given the fact that there are so many ships in the world’s fleet without cold-ironing capability, the METS system could have a profound impact on the entire shipping industry and our global environment."

The new solution is the first CARB-approved alternative to ‘plugging in’ to shore-side power, which is the current standard that complies with California’s regulation for airborne toxic control measure for auxiliary diesel engines operating on ocean-going vessels at-berth in a California port (At-Berth).

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The METS project received a $1.5m grant from the Port of Los Angeles’s technology advancement programme (TAP) to TraPac, which made a deal with CAEM to conduct research and develop on the METS project.

From last year, the CARB testing comprised performance evaluations of the METS on five separate vessels for a minimum of 200 hours.

Image: Cargo ship in port being loaded with containers. Photo: courtesy of Marketwire LP.

Ship Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Ship Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
From automated chartering invoices to EU ETS and CII management, Ankeri Solutions’ maritime SaaS platform has earned three Ship Technology Excellence Awards for 2025. See how Ankeri is helping shipowners and charterers boost efficiency, cut emissions, and collaborate better across complex global fleets.

Discover the Impact