Project leaders
The project is led by Calcarea Inc., a company specializing in carbon removal technologies inspired by natural oceanic processes, and Aurelia Design, a naval engineering firm focused on integrating green technologies into next-generation vessels.
Project description
The two companies have developed an innovative solution that enables ships to capture atmospheric CO₂ while sailing and safely transform it into bicarbonates stored within the marine environment. This regenerative technology—unlike the OCCS systems previously covered at SOM-INN PORT—captures and converts CO₂ on board through a reactor, rather than transferring it to another vessel for subsequent storage and treatment.
The process is based on accelerating a natural ocean reaction. First, the system captures CO₂ from the atmosphere. This CO₂ is then combined with seawater and crushed limestone, triggering a chemical reaction that converts CO₂ into calcium bicarbonate, a stable and safe form of dissolved carbon. The reaction mimics how the oceans naturally store CO₂, but accelerates it to ensure faster and more durable carbon fixation.
Source: Calcarea Company
Additionally, when the resulting water —with a higher bicarbonate content— is reintegrated into the ocean, a process of equilibration occurs, prompting the marine environment to absorb more atmospheric CO₂ to restore chemical balance. This increases the net carbon-removal effect. The approach aligns with modern Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) methods and emerging international standards such as the Direct Ocean Capture and Storage (DOCS) protocol certified by Isometric in 2025.
As part of their technological development, Calcarea and Aurelia have launched the Phase 0 – Feasibility and Concept Study, defining design requirements and integrating the chemical system into a bulk carrier. This phase will validate technical feasibility, prepare for Approval in Principle (AiP) by classification societies, and lay the groundwork for a future platform of vessels designed for industrial-scale ocean CO₂ capture.
Source: Calcarea Company
Project objectives
The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a regenerative ocean-based CO₂ capture solution, integrable into next-generation vessels and capable of continuously and safely removing atmospheric carbon. Its implementation seeks to promote a new model of ships that actively contribute to climate-change mitigation and open new pathways for a blue economy based on carbon removal.
Publication date
21/11/2025