STAX & TransMontaigne Deal to Clean Tanker Emissions in Northern California

LONG BEACH, Calif. – April 16, 2026 – In a significant move to combat maritime pollution ahead of stringent state deadlines, STAX Engineering has secured a five-year exclusive agreement with energy logistics giant TransMontaigne Partners. The deal will deploy STAX's mobile emissions capture barges to service tanker vessels at TransMontaigne's crucial Northern California terminals, ensuring compliance with California's world-leading air quality regulations.

This partnership positions TransMontaigne to meet the January 1, 2027, deadline set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) At-Berth Regulation, which will extend its tough emissions standards to all tanker vessels statewide. The agreement underscores a growing industry trend: proactive compliance through technological adoption rather than waiting for regulatory enforcement.

The Regulatory Clock is Ticking

The CARB At-Berth Regulation is one of the most aggressive environmental mandates targeting the shipping industry. Its primary goal is to slash the harmful emissions—including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and reactive organic gases (ROG)—that pour from a vessel's auxiliary engines while docked. The regulation demands an 80% reduction in these emissions, aiming to cut pollution by 90% and reduce cancer risk in nearby communities by over 50% once fully implemented.

For tanker operators and terminals, the stakes are incredibly high. Failure to comply can trigger severe financial penalties, with fines reaching up to $37,500 per violation, per day. The financial risk is not theoretical; CARB has previously settled with shipping lines for hundreds of thousands of dollars for non-compliance, such as a $680,750 settlement with Wan Hai Lines for violations.

Under the phased rollout, tankers visiting the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach fall under the rule in 2025, with the 2027 deadline encompassing all other California ports, including TransMontaigne's Martinez and Richmond facilities. These terminals, with a combined storage capacity of nearly 6 million barrels, are a vital link in the region's fuel supply chain.

A Strategic Move for Clean Air and Commerce

For TransMontaigne, the exclusive partnership with STAX is a strategic decision that balances environmental responsibility with operational necessity. By securing this service, the company avoids the immense capital expenditure and logistical hurdles associated with shore power, the regulation's other primary compliance path. Retrofitting a single vessel for shore power can exceed $1 million, and building the required landside infrastructure can take over a decade and face significant physical constraints.

STAX's solution bypasses these challenges. Its barges, known as 'Green Clean Machines,' function as floating purification plants that connect directly to a ship's exhaust funnels. This allows cargo operations to continue uninterrupted while capturing up to 99% of harmful emissions.

"Tanker operators need an emissions reduction solution that works in the real world—one that is safe, fast to deploy, cost-effective, and capable of delivering immediate air-quality benefits," said Mike Walker, Chief Executive Officer of STAX Engineering, in a statement. "This agreement with TransMontaigne shows that industry leaders are preparing now for the 2027 CARB deadline and choosing a proven, practical path that reduces emissions without disrupting terminal operations."

The partnership is expected to log 4,000 service hours annually, reinforcing TransMontaigne's commitment to its own sustainability goals, which include minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable fuel infrastructure.

How the 'Green Clean Machine' Works

STAX Engineering has established itself as the dominant force in California's nascent emissions capture market. The company operates the largest fleet of CARB-approved barges and services all major vessel classes across five key California ports.

The technology is deceptively simple in concept but complex in execution. A barge maneuvers alongside the berthed tanker, and a flexible, patented system connects to the vessel's exhaust stacks. No modifications to the ship are required. The captured exhaust is then funneled through a multi-stage filtration system that scrubs the pollutants. According to STAX, the system removes 99% of particulate matter and 95% of nitrogen oxides before releasing the purified gas. The company estimates the cost to operators is less than one cent per gallon of gasoline handled, a nominal fee compared to potential fines or capital-intensive retrofits.

This mobile, retrofit-free approach has made STAX the go-to solution for many operators. The company has already treated over 2,400 vessels, capturing more than 330 tons of pollutants since it began operations. The effectiveness of a single unit connected to a ship is said to be equivalent to taking 27,000 cars off the road for the duration of the berthing.

Tangible Benefits for Port Communities

Beyond the corporate and regulatory implications, this agreement promises significant and immediate benefits for the communities surrounding San Francisco Bay. The Northern California operations are projected to reduce annual emissions by an estimated 670 tons of NOx, 31 tons of ROG, and 31 tons of PM.

These reductions are particularly vital for Environmental Justice communities, such as Richmond, which have long shouldered a disproportionate health burden from industrial and port-related pollution. CARB’s regulation was specifically designed to address these inequities by forcing emissions reductions at the source. The deployment of STAX's technology provides a direct and measurable improvement in local air quality, contributing to the state's broader public health goals.

As California continues to lead the nation in environmental policy, the partnership between STAX and TransMontaigne serves as a powerful case study. It demonstrates how stringent regulations can spur technological innovation and foster new business models that deliver both economic and environmental wins. With ambitious plans for expansion, the sight of these green barges cleaning the air may soon become a standard feature not just in California, but in ports across the globe.