Swan Hellenic, Philippe Cousteau Foundation and SDG4MED sign agreement to restore marine biodiversity/reduce emissions at sea

   May 19, 2023 ,   Cruise Industry

Swan Hellenic's expedition ship SH Vega hosted a signing ceremony for an agreement between Swan Hellenic, the Philippe Cousteau Foundation, and SDG4MED. The agreement signifies their joint commitment to contribute to the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" in order to protect and restore the health of our oceans.

As part of the agreement, Swan Hellenic will offer its fleet as "ships of opportunity" to support the scientific research conducted by the foundations. These research initiatives will focus on assessing the condition of our Blue Planet in remote and pristine areas such as the Arctic, Antarctica, and the coasts of Africa, where Swan Hellenic's fleet operates for several months each year.

In late 2021, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU mandated the Commission to accelerate global conservation and restoration efforts for ocean and water health. The resulting EU Mission aims to coordinate financial, scientific, and operational resources for this purpose.

Swan Hellenic, the Philippe Cousteau Foundation, and SDG4MED were among the first organizations worldwide to endorse the Mission Charter. This charter seeks to create a sustainable, carbon-neutral, circular blue economy that contributes to climate neutrality. The oceans, as significant carbon sinks, play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity and fostering economic prosperity, with an expected annual revenue of EUR 2.5 trillion by 2030. The Mission 2030 targets include a 30% reduction in marine microplastics and the implementation of EU carbon-neutral, circular blue economy communities.

Each organization involved already has its own individual commitments to the Mission Charter. The Philippe Cousteau Foundation focuses on promoting ocean literacy among schools, fishermen, and seafarers. SDG4MED provides the "LIFE4MEDECA Knowledge Center" to municipalities to support shared action plans. Swan Hellenic continually invests in the latest green technologies and operational practices to minimize its environmental impact.