Leading shipping companies are joining forces to tackle ocean plastic pollution through the launch of the Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS): a new industry alliance aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution and operational waste at scale.
Founded by Seven Clean Seas (SCS), an ocean impact organization, MACS unites founding members including Berge Bulk, X-Press Feeders, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, and Britoil Offshore Services Pte Ltd, forming a collaborative alliance committed to measurable reductions in plastic and operational waste.
With over 4 recovery projects and 100 local cleanup crew members between Indonesia and Thailand, Seven Clean Seas claims that it has removed over 6 million kilograms of ocean plastic and improved the lives of nearly 20,000 people.
The initiative aligns with the IMO’s 2030 Action Plan and focuses on reducing plastic at the source through better procurement, measuring and minimising vessel waste, and improving portside waste reception systems.
Oceans carry 90% of global trade yet they face unprecedented pressure, with 14 million tonnes of plastic entering and damaging marine ecosystems every year.
While maritime contributes only a small share of this leakage, the shipping community has a critical role to play, from preventing cargo losses to improving waste handling on board and at port.
“We are proud to stand alongside Seven Clean Seas and fellow MACS partners as a founding member of this vital initiative. By joining forces, we are taking action to protect the oceans that sustain life and global trade,” Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said in its statement.
With a short post on social media LinkedIn Berge Bulk highlighted the maritime sector’s “responsibility” and “opportunity” to lead. “While shipping contributes only a small share of global plastic leakage, we can influence meaningful change across global supply chains.”
