Plastic bottle in the ocean

Helping to keep the ocean plastic free- BIMCO joins GloLitter Partnership Projects to help prevent and reduce marine litter from shipping

Published: 05 May 2022

Key to reducing plastics in the ocean is working together- collaborating both within our sector and wider. That is why we are delighted to join the GloLitter Partnerships Project as a strategic partner. Assisting developing countries to prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from maritime transport and identifying opportunities for the reduction of plastic uses in shipping are shared ambitions – vital for supporting the long-term health of our ocean. 

BIMCO has become a strategic partner of the GloLitter Partnerships Project. The GloLitter Partnerships Project aims to help shipping and fisheries move to a low-plastics future. In particular the project will assist developing countries identify opportunities to prevent and reduce marine litter, including plastic litter, from within the maritime transport and fisheries sectors, and to decrease the use of plastics in these industries, including identifying opportunities to re-use and recycle plastics.

Amongst a number of hugely important and relevant issues- the project will consider the availability and adequacy of port reception facilities and look at enhancing awareness of the marine plastics issue within shipping, including to seafarers- both of which are extremely significant in our emerging BIMCO campaign on plastics.

This is a natural partnership given the initiatives BIMCO are developing. Plastic pollution remains a significant threat to the marine environment. To reduce any contribution of shipping and to truly address plastic pollution there needs to be a collaborative effort across the supply and value chain- something which this partnership can facilitate.

Engaging with GloLitter further builds on our relationship with Glo-X projects with BIMCO already involved as a strategic partner to GloFouling. Our newly established Working Group on Single Use Plastics Onboard Ships (SUPWG) will be our centre for engagement - providing valuable insight and support to the project.

Our SUPWG group is making rapid progress and we will soon be encouraging our members to embark on a journey to reduce plastic onboard ships with our support- through the provision of best practice guidance, real-life stories and lessons learnt and information and awareness raising material. We encourage any members interested to get in touch or to await the arrival of our member survey (coming soon!)
Beverley Mackenzie

CONTACT BIMCO

Dr. Bev Mackenzie

Head of Intergovernmental Engagement

London, United Kingdom