Should onboard carbon capture and storage technology be supported? A technology management perspective

The decarbonisation of maritime transport increasingly depends on disruptive technologies that deliver significant and cost‑effective emissions reductions. Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) has the potential to serve as such a breakthrough solution. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the technical advances in OCCS technology and the prospects for its diffusion in the context of the innovation S-curve. Using patent data, the study analyses time trends in inventive activity, leading countries and applicants, specific onboard carbon‑capture techniques, and the OCCS S‑curve. The results indicate that OCCS technology has moved from the embryonic to the growth phase, reducing the investment risk associated with further development. This suggests strong potential for continued advancement, making additional research both promising and recommended. The paper concludes with key managerial implications for shipowners, technology developers, investors, and policymakers.