FLORIDA’S APTAMUS CARBON SOLUTIONS TO LEAD DEVELOPMENT OF A CO2 MARINE TERMINAL AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR DEMETER ENERGY’S BIOMETHANOL PRODUCTION PLANT
September 15, 2026
Tampa, Florida
Aptamus Carbon Solutions, of Tampa, Florida, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Demeter Energy, of Fort Myers, Florida, to explore the development of a marine terminal for the processing, liquefaction, and loading of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by Demeter Energy at a proposed biomethanol production plant intended to be built in Manatee County, FL. The MOU will allow Aptamus to identify optimal locations for a CO2 terminal at Seaport Manatee, develop a site plan, and design an appropriate new tank vessel. Demeter intends to capture CO2 during its biomethanol production process before it is emitted into the atmosphere, a process known as carbon capture. Aptamus will receive the CO2 gas and convert it to liquid form for loading and transport on a new first-of-its- kind U.S. built tank vessel and transport it to a discharge port in Texas or Louisiana for permanent underground sequestration or for enhanced oil recovery.
“We are excited to work with Demeter Energy to advance the development of a biomethanol facility in Florida,” said Jeffrey Ross Williams, President of Aptamus. “Demeter’s commitment to capturing and managing CO₂ generated during the production process will deliver meaningful environmental benefits while supporting the growth of a new low-carbon energy industry in the region. Aptamus brings specialized expertise in CO₂ logistics, complex terminal systems, and will be developing a new dual cargo methanol and LCO2 tank vessel to export the captured carbon which will help position Florida as a leader in the new energy maritime transportation industries.”
Demeter Energy is developing a first-of-its-kind biomethanol and carbon capture facility at Port Manatee, Florida, that is expected to produce approximately 100,000 metric tons of low-carbon biomethanol annually while capturing approximately 200,000 metric tons of CO₂ per year. The project will create a reliable market for sustainably sourced urban wood and green waste generated by Florida’s year-round growing season, while supporting global decarbonization efforts by providing low carbon fuel of the maritime sector, or supplying feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or chemical manufacturing.
Tom Walklett, CEO of Demeter Energy, stated, “The collaboration with Aptamus reflects our shared ambition to be part of the global solution for a cleaner environment while creating lasting economic value for local communities. Aptamus brings significant expertise, proven infrastructure capabilities, and innovative marine transportation solutions that strengthen the foundation of our project. Together, we are advancing a scalable platform that combines low-carbon fuel production with carbon capture to support the needed energy transition and Florida’s sustainable feedstock industry.”
As part of the collaboration, Aptamus will design a vessel capable of transporting both biomethanol and captured, liquefied CO₂. The dual-use vessel is expected to be the first of its kind to carry both of these liquid cargos in the United States and will be a U.S. flagged registered Jones Act vessel which requires construction in a U.S. shipyard, crewed by U.S. citizen mariners, and owned by a U.S. company.