Stax Engineering has been awarded a contract by the Port of Los Angeles, becoming the Port’s approved provider of on-call emissions control services for vessels idling at berth.
The designation is said to cement Stax’s market position and reflects growing demand for flexible emissions reduction solutions that meet California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations without disrupting port operations.
Under the agreement, Stax will serve as the on-call emission compliance solution for vehicle carriers and container ships berthed at the port for up to three years. Service will expand to tankers upon final approval of Stax’s CARB Executive Order expected in the coming weeks. Stax’s mobile emissions capture and control technology is considered to offer a powerful complement to shore power, removing up to 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of NOx directly from the ship exhaust, without requiring any vessel modifications.
Mike Walker, CEO Stax Engineering, said: “Being selected by the Port of LA—one of the world’s busiest and most ambitious ports—reaffirms Stax’s leadership in tackling maritime air pollution at scale. This partnership shows what’s possible when ports embrace flexible, high-impact solutions that work alongside existing infrastructure. We’re making it easier for every vessel to comply with environmental mandates without disrupting operations.”
John Holmes, COO Stax, added: “Our operational model is built for consistent, reliable performance at busy ports like Los Angeles, delivering a seamless solution for emissions compliance. What makes us an especially effective on-call partner is our technology’s flexibility—it connects to any ship without modification. Whether it’s a ship’s first time in a California port or its one hundredth, Stax can provide the customer compliance without interruption.”
The partnership deepens Stax’s operational footprint at the Port of Los Angeles, building on its existing service to customers like Zim Integrated Shipping Services, Hyundai Glovis, and Equilon Enterprises / Shell Oil Products US. Across California, Stax currently operates eight barges under exclusive agreements at the ports of Long Beach, Hueneme, Benicia, and Oakland. Since launching in early 2024, Stax has treated at-berth vessels for more than 22,000h, capturing 166t of pollutants so far.
Image: Stax barge removing polluting exhaust gases (source: Stax Engineering)
