STAX Engineering has secured an executive order from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to provide services for tanker vessels.
This makes the company the first emissions capture and control fleet authorised to service all major classes of vessels in California.
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The order enables STAX to address a critical compliance need, enabling tankers to adhere to CARB regulations in Southern California starting from this year and statewide by 2027.
The CARB’s Ocean-Going Vessels At Berth Regulation, which became effective for tankers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on 1 January 2025, will be extended to all California ports by 2027.
STAX has received approval for its four barges, STAX 1, 5, 7, and 8, which positions it as what it claims to be the industry’s largest fleet and the most practical compliance solution for tankers.
Tankers carry goods valued at more than $800bn worldwide, including crude oil, chemicals, and liquefied natural gas.
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By GlobalDataHowever, they have been unable to utilise shore power because of safety concerns associated with their volatile cargo.
STAX’s operational flexibility and mobile design offer tankers a viable alternative to shore power, which often necessitates costly infrastructure improvements.
STAX Engineering CEO Mike Walker said: “Servicing tankers is a transformative moment for STAX and the industry. Tankers are the backbone of global energy infrastructure—with over 1.3 million barrels of crude oil alone arriving just in California ports daily—yet they’ve lacked a safe, practical solution for meeting rising emissions standards.
“Our technology fills that gap. It helps operators comply with regulations while improving air quality for surrounding communities. This isn’t just about today’s requirements; it’s about building a foundation for cleaner operations going forward.”
STAX’s mobile, barge-based emissions capture and control system allows for safe tanker servicing, capturing exhaust from auxiliary engines and removing up to 99% of particulate matter and 95% of nitrogen oxides, all while adhering to stringent tanker safety protocols.
With a lineup of clients including Olympus, Shell, and MOL Chemicals, STAX is poised to offer flexible emissions control solutions without the need for vessel retrofits or expensive port infrastructure upgrades.
Container ships, autocarriers, and tankers at five main California ports are already benefiting from STAX’s advantages, which include seamless cargo operations, minimal capital investment, straightforward hourly service fees, and complete adherence to emissions and safety regulations.
Olympus Terminals CEO Vince Godfrey said: “Safety and operational reliability are non-negotiable in our industry, and STAX delivers on both fronts.
“Given the complexities of tanker operations, we need a partner who can integrate seamlessly and safely into our customers’ port calls without disrupting operations. STAX provides exactly that; a practical solution without requiring retrofits that allows us to meet our environmental responsibilities immediately, rather than waiting for future technologies.”
Looking ahead, STAX plans to expand its fleet to 27 operational barges and establish a presence in all California ports by 2027, coinciding with the expansion of tanker emissions regulations to Northern California.
The company’s growth is supported by $70m in funding and a £1.1m ($1.3m) grant from the UK government for the PortZero project.
In November last year, e1 Marine partnered with STAX Engineering to combine its methanol-to-hydrogen power systems (M2PWR) with STAX’s emissions capture and control technology.
This collaboration aims to hasten the decarbonisation of the maritime industry through the integration of cutting-edge power systems with proven emissions control technologies.
