By Abbas Nazil
Leading global shipping companies have crafted a new alliance called Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS), aimed at reducing plastic pollution and operational waste in the maritime sector.
Founded by the ocean impact organisation Seven Clean Seas (SCS), MACS unites founding members including Berge Bulk, X-Press Feeders, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), and Britoil Offshore Services, representing a diverse cross-section of the maritime industry.
Oceans carry approximately 90 percent of global trade and support the livelihoods of more than 2 million seafarers worldwide, yet they face mounting challenges from plastic pollution, with 14 million tonnes of plastic entering marine ecosystems annually.
Although the maritime sector contributes only a small portion of this pollution, incidents such as cargo losses and improper waste handling aboard vessels or at ports can have significant environmental consequences.
MACS aims to address these challenges by promoting best practices, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration across the global maritime value chain.
The initiative builds on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) established Plastic Marine Litter Action Plan and reflects growing international demand for coordinated industry efforts to reduce ocean plastic.
Seven Clean Seas has a proven track record of tackling plastic at its source, implementing certified recovery projects in some of the world’s most polluted coastal regions while providing fair employment and social benefits to local communities.
MACS will focus on three key objectives in 2026: sustainable procurement and material use, vessel waste measurement and reduction, and improved portside waste reception.
These efforts are aligned with the IMO’s 2030 Action Plan and SCS’ mission to recover 100 million kilograms of plastic while improving 200,000 lives by 2030.
Tom Peacock-Nazil, Founder and Chairman of MACS, emphasized that collective action is the most effective way to achieve meaningful change, adding that the alliance equips maritime companies with tools to make measurable progress against plastic pollution together.
Representatives from founding members highlighted their commitment to ocean stewardship, operational excellence, and environmental leadership.
Michael Blanding of Berge Bulk stated that the oceans are central to their business and that MACS provides a platform for leading industry-wide change.
Francis Goh of X-Press Feeders noted that the company’s collaboration with SCS extends its sustainability efforts beyond emission reduction to address waste and plastic challenges.
Florent Kirchhoff of Britoil Offshore Services and Elena Pantazidou of BSM echoed these sentiments, emphasizing shared responsibility and dedication to safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations.
MACS invites maritime stakeholders to join the alliance and actively participate in shaping a cleaner and more sustainable maritime industry while protecting the oceans that underpin global trade.
Seven Clean Seas, founded in 2019 in Singapore, continues to lead initiatives to prevent ocean plastic pollution while creating social impact through employment in heavily polluted coastal communities.
Berge Bulk, X-Press Feeders, Britoil Offshore Services, and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement bring decades of maritime expertise, ensuring that MACS combines operational excellence with environmental responsibility on a global scale. END
