TAGNAD is developing MOCCS — a low-CAPEX, solvent-free mechanical system that captures CO2 directly from a ship’s exhaust. No fuel switching. No engine changes. Retrofit-ready.
From 2024, shipowners pay for their CO2 under the EU Emissions Trading System, while the IMO tightens carbon-intensity limits toward net-zero by ~2050. Yet today’s onboard carbon-capture systems rely on amine chemicals — expensive, bulky, energy-hungry and hard to retrofit — leaving the large fleet of small-to-mid vessels with no affordable option.
Maritime CO2 now carries a direct, rising cost for shipowners.
IMO carbon-intensity reduction target by 2030, en route to net-zero by ~2050.
Energy penalty of conventional amine chemical capture (EMSA, 2026).
A low-CAPEX, solvent-free mechanical onboard carbon-capture & conditioning system. MOCCS separates CO2 from engine exhaust by physical means — no amine chemicals, no fuel switching, no engine modification — in a modular, retrofit-friendly unit.
No liquid solvent to regenerate — the main energy drain of chemical capture is removed.
Compact, modular hardware instead of large absorber & stripper columns.
Fits vessels already in service. No fuel switching or engine modification required.
No amines to degrade, replace or handle — fewer HSE and corrosion concerns.
Capacity scales with engine size; capture rate dialled to each owner’s compliance need.
Designed first for the under-served small-to-mid vessel segment.
A four-stage, post-combustion process — solvent-free from start to finish.
Particulate, SOx/NOx and moisture are removed and the stream is cooled.
CO2 is separated by physical means — no liquid chemical solvent.
The captured CO2 is compressed, dried and prepared for storage.
Stored as compressed or liquefied CO2 until it is offloaded in port.
The MOCCS process chain — post-combustion, solvent-free mechanical capture.
Incumbent onboard-capture solutions use complex, capital-intensive chemical (amine) systems. MOCCS is positioned as the affordable, retrofit-friendly alternative.
| Aspect | Conventional amine chemical absorption | MOCCS — mechanical (solvent-free) |
|---|---|---|
| Separation | Chemical reaction into a liquid amine solvent | Physical / mechanical separation |
| Working medium | Liquid amine solvent (MEA / DEA / MDEA) | None — no liquid solvent |
| Energy penalty | High: 9–30% of engine power | Low — no thermal regeneration |
| CAPEX & footprint | High; large absorber / stripper columns | Low; compact and modular |
| Retrofit & fuel | Complex, space-intensive integration | Retrofit-friendly; no fuel switch |
Energy-penalty range for chemical absorption: EMSA (2026). MOCCS values are development targets.
Tightening EU and IMO rules are turning emissions into a cost on every voyage. MOCCS targets the operators with the fewest affordable options today.
Small-to-mid-size shipowners, retrofit yards and maritime-engineering firms.
EU ETS cost exposure, CII ratings and IMO decarbonisation targets.
Competitive positioning — MOCCS in the low-cost, low-complexity quadrant.
TAGNAD is a maritime engineering and climate-technology startup based in Ireland, on a mission to make maritime decarbonisation practical and affordable. Alongside developing MOCCS, TAGNAD provides marine engineering consultancy — feasibility studies, mechanical design and technical support — for the shipping and offshore sectors.
Naval Architect and Chartered Marine & Chartered Engineer (PMP) with 10+ years delivering complex maritime and engineering projects across Europe and Asia — ship design, retrofit and conversion, with work presented at RINA and ICCAS.
We’re seeking investment and research & industry collaboration partners to advance MOCCS from concept to a validated prototype. If you’re a shipowner, retrofit yard, investor or research partner, we’d love to talk.
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