MACS launches plastic procurement toolkit for shipping

The Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS) has launched a set of procurement guides aimed at helping shipping companies cut unnecessary plastic use before it enters vessel operations. Developed by MACS’ Sustainable Plastic Procurement Working Group, the toolkit is intended to give owners, managers, suppliers and ports a more consistent approach to reducing plastics in line with the International Maritime Organization’s marine litter goals. The first publications include a working group report, a maritime plastics taxonomy, phase-out pathways for priority plastics and a decision-support framework for assessing lower-plastic alternatives. MACS said the work addresses three recurring industry problems: inconsistent terminology, practical concerns over the safety, cost and availability of alternatives, and fragmented demands placed on suppliers by different shipping companies. “The most sustainable plastic is the plastic that is never used,” said MACS director Oliver Kade. “These guides provide the industry with a clear framework for collaborative action.” The initiative follows working group meetings and a roundtable involving 53 participants from 28 organisations, including Berge Bulk, Pacific International Lines, X-Press Feeders, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, DP World, Britoil and Howden. Michael Blanding, head of sustainability and communications at Berge Bulk, said inconsistent signals to suppliers remained one of the biggest obstacles to turning plastic reduction targets into practical action. The guides are designed to support procurement discussions, supplier engagement and internal decision-making, while creating more standardised demand for alternative products and packaging across the maritime supply chain. A public consultation runs until August 16, with MACS inviting feedback from shipowners, managers, suppliers, ports, caterers, logistics providers and industry bodies before the final versions are issued. It is the first of several MACS working groups focused on plastics. MACS was established to help maritime companies work collectively towards the IMO’s 2030 action plan on plastic marine litter. Follow Us Sam Chambers Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune. Newsletter DAILY SPLASH NEWSLETTER Subscribe now for FREE daily news updates. Subscribe Read Next August 3, 2026 Ukraine sinks FESCO boxship August 3, 2026 Tankers face fresh Hormuz threats August 3, 2026 203,881 teu in one day: Shanghai rewrites port records August 3, 2026 Italian navy boards sanctioned tanker off Sicily August 3, 2026 Futility is the enemy of everything at sea