The Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS) has been launched by leading shipping companies to tackle ocean plastic pollution. Founded by Seven Clean Seas (SCS), an organization dedicated to ocean impact, MACS brings together industry leaders, including Berge Bulk and X-Press Feeders, to drive measurable reductions in plastic and operational waste.
Although the maritime sector is responsible for a relatively small portion of ocean plastic pollution, incidents like cargo losses and poor waste management can have significant environmental impacts, particularly with hazardous plastic materials like pellets and films. By implementing best practices and fostering collaboration across the value chain, the maritime industry can significantly reduce plastic leakage and protect the seas it depends on.
MACS is built on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Plastic Marine Litter Action Plan and responds to the increasing global demand for coordinated action against plastic pollution. As environmental accountability grows, the initiative offers a collective platform for maritime stakeholders to reduce plastic use, implement shared standards, and promote positive changes in sectors with larger plastic footprints.
The association leverages SCS’s established success in combatting plastic pollution at its source, currently working in some of the world’s most polluted coastal regions. SCS implements certified recovery projects that not only retrieve oceanic plastic but also provide fair employment and community benefits.
MACS will focus on three key areas by 2026: sustainable procurement and material usage, waste measurement and reduction on vessels, and enhancing waste reception at ports. These efforts align with the IMO’s 2030 Action Plan and represent a significant step towards SCS’s goal of recovering 100 million kilograms of plastic and improving the lives of 200,000 people by 2030. This initiative exemplifies how collaborative efforts can lead to systemic changes and substantial environmental improvements.
Tom Peacock-Nazil, Founder and Chairman of MACS, emphasizes the power of collective action in driving change. He states that MACS provides the maritime industry with the necessary tools to combat plastic pollution effectively, fostering collaboration rather than working in isolation.
Founding members of MACS, including Berge Bulk, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, X-Press Feeders, and Britoil Offshore Services, represent a diverse range of entities within global maritime operations, from bulk carriers to offshore services. Their involvement illustrates a mutual commitment to operational excellence, environmental sustainability, and data transparency, reinforcing the importance of a unified approach to address one of the pressing challenges facing our oceans today.
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