GLOBAL logistics giant DP World has joined the Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS), a move aimed at intensifying efforts to eliminate plastic waste across international supply chains and bolstering the industry’s response to ocean pollution.
MACS stands as the first industry-wide initiative to unite shipping lines, port operators, and various maritime stakeholders — including ship chandlers and caterers — in a collective effort to address operational waste and plastic leakage at scale.
The partnership aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Plastic Marine Litter Action Plan, providing a platform for members to share critical data, adopt best practices, and support certified plastic recovery projects.
Glen Hilton, CEO and managing director for Asia-Pacific at DP World, emphasized that sustainability is a core pillar of the company’s mission to enable global trade.
“By joining MACS, we are strengthening our commitment to reducing plastic waste across our port operations and logistics network, and working with partners to implement solutions that can scale across global trade routes,” Hilton said in a statement.
DP World plans to utilize its extensive global footprint to implement scalable solutions that prevent plastic from entering the marine environment. This strategy covers the entire maritime value chain, from terminal operations to inland logistics, with a specific focus on reducing single-use plastics and enhancing waste management systems at key hubs.
For his part, MACS Director Oliver Kade welcomed the entry of the logistics major, noting that DP World’s involvement is a significant boost for the initiative.
“As a key player in global trade and logistics, their involvement strengthens our ability to address plastic pollution across complex supply chains. This is exactly the type of cross-sector collaboration needed to drive meaningful, measurable progress,” Kade said.
Ocean plastic pollution remains a critical hurdle for the sector, affecting not only marine ecosystems and coastal communities but also the long-term resilience of global trade routes.
In the Asia-Pacific region alone, DP World operates 17 ports and terminals across 22 geographies, employing over 15,000 people. Globally, the company maintains a presence across six continents with a workforce of 125,000, focusing on seamless supply chain solutions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.