Shipping coalition deploys novel tech in bid to slash methane slip

Safetytech Accelerator, in collaboration with Chevron, Carnival Corporation, Shell and Seapeak, has completed three technology feasibility studies as part of its flagship Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII). The results of these feasibility studies showed potential to cut fugitive methane emissions in the maritime industry.

MAMII is exploring options to advance these research projects to on-ship trials as soon as possible. 

MAMII was launched in September 2022 by Safetytech Accelerator at a time when LNG as a shipping fuel was attracting a great deal of negative press. MAMII brings together industry leaders, technology innovators, and maritime stakeholders to advance technologies for measuring and mitigating methane emissions in the maritime sector and promote the adoption of validated solutions. It currently has more than 20 shipping and energy companies as anchor partners.

While methane slip – unburnt methane released during the combustion process – remains the largest source of methane emissions on ships, emissions across the LNG supply chain, from loading to engine delivery, are also a concern.

Three companies – Xplorobot, Sorama and framergy – were selected by MAMII to help address theneed to detect, measure and capture fugitive methane emissions from LNG fuelled ships.

Xplorobot provides a handheld device and AI-powered platform to detect and measure fugitive methane on ships using computer vision to pinpoint leak locations, overlay real-time emission rate data, and integrate seamlessly with existing systems for quick issue resolution without requiring specialised training.

Sorama develops acoustic cameras that detect fugitive gas by visualising sound and vibration fields in 3D.

Framergy specialises in adsorbents and catalysts for methane emission management.