The Azimut|Benetti Group, a leader in the nautical industry, has partnered with Ogyre, an innovative platform dedicated to recovering plastic waste from oceans. This collaboration reflects the Group’s continued commitment to sustainability and marine conservation.
The partnership aims to collect 18,000 pounds of plastic from the oceans in 2025, utilizing the efforts of local fishing communities. Additionally, both partners will collaboratively conduct a feasibility study for establishing a new hub in Tuscany, where Ogyre will work on marine waste collection, engaging with local institutions and communities to foster a greater culture of environmental respect.
Azimut|Benetti Group is the first major player in the nautical industry to support Ogyre’s initiatives, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. For over twenty years, the Group has been at the forefront of yachting, devising and implementing solutions to minimize the CO2 emissions of yachts, achieving the best results in the sector. The growing awareness of plastic pollution in the oceans has now compelled the company to enter this partnership to make a tangible contribution to cleaning and protecting ocean ecosystems.
Originating in Italy, this project aims to protect oceans globally. Waste collection efforts will focus on three countries: Italy, Brazil, and Indonesia, representing the deep connection between humans and natural ecosystems, and significantly impacted by pollution for various reasons. Italy borders the Mediterranean, a semi-enclosed sea more susceptible to plastic accumulation. Conversely, Brazil and Indonesia face critical challenges due to highly polluted rivers that transport substantial waste to the sea, jeopardizing local ecosystems.
Ogyre collaborates with local fishing communities, providing equipment, logistical support, training, and financial compensation for engaging in Fishing for Litter activities. This operational model not only promotes ocean conservation but also centers on fishermen, generating social benefits and new income opportunities, thus bolstering the resilience of coastal communities often facing economic and environmental challenges.
Through direct collaboration with fishermen and Ogyre’s blockchain-based platform, full traceability of the collected waste is ensured, which is subsequently sent for recycling, contributing to a circular and sustainable system. In this manner, Ogyre’s activities support sustainable growth, extending beyond merely protecting the sea, but also assisting those who depend on it for their livelihoods, illustrating how environmental and community well-being can thrive together.
Along with the Fishing for Litter initiative, the collaboration between Azimut|Benetti Group and Ogyre encompasses the launch of a feasibility study for the establishment of a new marine waste collection hub in Tuscany—an important region for the Group and home to two of its Italian production facilities. This hub, located between Livorno and Viareggio, will actively involve local fishermen, creating sustainable economic opportunities and strengthening the company’s connection to the region while committing to conserving the Mediterranean Sea, which is facing alarming conditions.
According to the WWF report “Out of the Plastic Trap: Saving the Mediterranean from Plastic Pollution” (2018), the Mediterranean Sea contains a staggering 1.25 million microplastics per square kilometer, which is four times the density of microplastics found in the infamous Pacific plastic island. Moreover, plastic constitutes 95% of the waste present in the Mediterranean, both in open waters and along coastlines. Notably, the coastal stretch near Tuscany is particularly sensitive, as sea currents accumulate plastic waste from the mouths of the Arno, Tiber, and Sarno rivers.
Achieving Global Sustainability Goals
This partnership contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): including:
- SDG 6: Improve water quality and sustainable management of water resources.
- SDG 12: Promote sustainable waste management and pollution reduction.
- SDG 13: Reduce the effects of climate change through concrete actions.
- SDG 14: Protect marine biodiversity and ocean ecosystems.
- SDG 8: Support local fishermen by creating sustainable economic opportunities.
- SDG 17: Demonstrate the potential of public-private partnerships for positive global impact.
Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of Azimut|Benetti Group, explains, “For over twenty years, the Group’s commitment to enhanced environmental sustainability has been tangible, measurable, and motivated by the desire to implement innovative solutions to effect change ‘here and now.’ Ogyre shares this vision. Through this partnership, we can broaden our contributions from building low-emission yachts to removing plastic waste from our oceans.”
“Ogyre was founded with the mission of reducing marine pollution in collaboration with those who inhabit the sea every day. The partnership with Azimut|Benetti Group allows us to amplify our impact and showcase how the interplay between technology, local communities, and companies can truly make a difference,” comments Antonio Augeri, Co-Founder and CEO of Ogyre.