California’s Biggest Ports Are Deploying Air Pollution Capture for Ships
Startup STAX is using what’s essentially a range hood for ships that can help carriers meet the state’s strict pollution standards.
A cargo ship docked at the Yusen container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles.
Photographer: Lauren Justice/BloombergAt first glance, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach look like any others in the world. Among the world’s busiest, the neighboring facilities hum with massive container ships, tankers and auto carriers making their way in and out and cranes swinging containers onto waiting trucks.
But at the Port of LA, a curious companion is making itself at home next to docked boats: a bright green barge with a massive 270-foot bendable arm hovering over a container vessel’s smokestack holding a system of hoses, filters and pumps collecting exhaust like a giant range hood.