lomarlabs collaborates with Blue Dot Change

Blue Dot Change’s simple, cost-efficient dispenser aims to accelerate the pace of nature’s existing methane removal process from the air by releasing iron-rich particles that contain chloride into the air, which is then converted into vapor. Sunlight then irradiates these particles, producing chlorine radicals. These, in turn, can drive reactions that convert methane into two water and one carbon dioxide molecule in the atmosphere.

Ships are an ideal testing ground for this unproven and potentially transformational technology, as they already operate in an ideal environment for breaking down methane. The catalyst is independent of the ship’s emissions, whatever they may be, and will only be emitted when the meteorological conditions are optimal for it to work efficiently.

Blue Dot Change’s innovative technology aims to alleviate the shipping industry’s methane footprint as there are no geological barriers to the wind blowing in an oceanic environment. With ample access to wind, the catalyst permeating the atmosphere will increase the ability to naturally speed up the methane removal process. If enough commercial ships were to adopt this technology the tech innovator hopes to cut rising temperatures by a third through methane removal from oceanic air.

lomarlabs and Blue Dot Change will be collaborating on the design and development of this prototype system, combining Lomar’s maritime know-how with the technical skill-set that the Blue Dot Change team delivers. In addition, they will be orchestrating additional pilots to responsibly test the mechanical deployment of their dissipation system, as well as a weather station aboard one of  Lomar’s vessels to collect useful data to enrich the model. Preparations to install and deploy the first fully operational system on a Lomar vessel will take place sometime in late 2024 or early 2025.

Methane reduction as an approach is still in very early stage development and one where there are more questions than answers.

Lomar CEO Nicholas Georgiou adds: “Lomar is committed to exploring technologies that will unlock maritime innovation and propel both our company and our industry towards a sustainable, greener future. We are very proud to support lomarlabs and Blue Dot Change’s collaborative efforts in the pursuit of safer, cleaner oceans and will do whatever we can to aid this cutting-edge technology solution into a market that is ever-changing and evolving.”