Paul Holthus discusses projects and ambitions for protecting marine environment

Jeddah, September 05, 2023, The president and CEO of the World Ocean Council, Paul Holthus, spoke on a panel during the second day of the Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference (SMIC) about significant projects and ambitions that have been realized as well as "those in the making" in the sector in the Kingdom, contributing to the achievement of the goal of protecting the marine environment. The discussion focused on the "Maritime Circular Economy". According to Holthus, the Kingdom's strategy has placed sustainability at the center of the emerging industry of seaside tourism, which strives to diversify the economy. He also discussed the need to redefine the circular economy in the marine sector, so that it no longer only refers to the shipping and maritime industries, but also includes essential industrial ecosystems like recycling and product creation and development. Regulations and legislation, according to Dr. Peterside Dakuku, CEO of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, are crucial to achieving sustainability in the sector because they establish clear guidelines and principles for waste management and harmonize national laws with global norms.

According to Eng. Khaled Alrashed, CEO of the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), a PIF subsidiary, SIRC has the potential to play a significant role in the maritime economy, beginning with the establishment of facilities for receiving materials, as a first step toward enabling sustainability in the sector.