Cleaning Up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

2022 Q4

Working with Ocean Voyages Institute since 2020, Matson has helped remove more than 600,000 pounds of plastics and marine debris from the North Pacific Gyre, also known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In August, OVI wrapped up its 2022 clean-up voyages with a total haul of 150 tons of debris collected.

On July 23, OVI docked its 130-foot sailing cargo ship, Kwai, at the Army Corps of Engineers’ Bay Model dock in Sausalito, where it discharged 96 tons of recovered plastic “ghost” nets, derelict fishing gear, and consumer plastic waste gathered from the gyre.

Five weeks later, on August 30, another 54 tons of debris collected during a second voyage was discharged at Pier 29 in Honolulu Harbor. Matson was on hand for both events, providing containers and transportation for upcycling and recycling by various educational and commercial organizations.

OVI’s 2022 haul brings the group’s total to more than 692,000 pounds of plastic removed from the ocean so far, which includes the largest open ocean clean up in history–their 2020 haul of 340,000 pounds.

The Patch, also known as the Pacific trash vortex, is caused by the effects of ocean currents and increasing plastic pollution by human populations and has been growing since 1945. Today, it is estimated to be double the size of Texas and is the world’s most significant accumulation of ocean plastics.

In addition to the donation of containers, trucking, and labor to assist with the discharge and transportation of marine debris, Matson has also contributed $100,000 to support OVI’s mission.

Ocean Voyages Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1979 by a group of international sailors, educators, and conservationists with a mission of teaching maritime arts and sciences and preserving the world’s oceans. Having attracted international attention for its sustainable methods using a sailing vessel, OVI is working to scale up operations with construction of two purpose built sailing cargo ships.