Leading shipping companies have formed the Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS), a new industry alliance aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution and operational waste on a global scale.

Founded by Seven Clean Seas (SCS), a Singapore-based ocean impact organisation, MACS unites founding members including Berge Bulk, X-Press Feeders, Britoil Offshore Services, and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) to implement industry-wide solutions.

Oceans carry around 90% of global trade and sustain over 2 million seafarers, yet they face mounting pressure from 14 million tonnes of plastic entering marine ecosystems each year. While shipping contributes only a small fraction of this pollution, mismanaged cargo and vessel waste can have major environmental consequences. MACS seeks to tackle this by advancing best practices, innovation, and collaboration across the maritime value chain.

The association will focus initially on sustainable procurement, vessel waste measurement and reduction, and improved portside waste reception. These efforts align with the IMO’s 2030 Plastic Marine Litter Action Plan.

Tom Peacock-Nazil, Founder and Chairman of MACS, said: “Seven Clean Seas has always believed in collective action as the most powerful lever for change. With MACS, we’re providing the maritime industry with the tools it needs to make measurable progress against plastic pollution. Not in isolation, but together.”

Founding members emphasise the operational and environmental benefits of the alliance. Michael Blanding, Head of Sustainability at Berge Bulk, stated: “Our long-standing work with SCS has already delivered tangible results, and through MACS, we’re proud to help lead a united industry response that can achieve change at scale.”

Through MACS, maritime companies aim to integrate sustainability into business operations while protecting the oceans central to global trade.

Explore the full article to see how MACS plans to transform maritime operations and drive measurable reductions in ocean plastic.