World Ocean Day: Fleet Teams Unite to Support Ocean Conservation

‍To mark World Ocean Day, teams across Fleet united across offices and vessels to recognise ocean conservation and our commitments under the Evolving Environmental Stewardship pillar of our Encompass strategy.

Across the organisation, colleagues took part in simple, practical action to support our sustainability goals - through participation, learning, and fundraising to support ocean conservation.

Fleet wear BLUE day

On Friday 5 June, teams took part in Wear BLUE Day, showing support for The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation working to remove plastic from oceans and intercept waste before it reaches marine environments.

Colleagues wore blue, connected across teams, and made voluntary contributions. Small individual actions can make a big difference together to protect the ocean.

Film screenings building awareness

Offices hosted screenings of ‘Your Ocean with David Attenborough’ to learn more together about the ecosystems that support ocean life.

Colleagues enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on their connection to the ocean, deepening their understanding of both the importance of protecting marine environments and the potential for recovery when meaningful action is taken.

For teams working in maritime operations, the message was direct. Looking at our work from the outside in, we are reminded that the way we operate each day has a real impact on the waters our vessels move through. By listening and learning, we reinforce that responsible operations are not separate from our work, they are integral to how we protect marine environments over time.

“The Ocean” in my mother tongue

Seafarers onboard our vessels contributed by sharing ocean-related words from their own languages, along with their meanings. The responses show that ocean words are deeply connected to people’s everyday lives and cultures. For many, the ocean is not just a place, but a source of life and identity. One contributor explains that for Filipinos, “it would mean ‘buhay’ (life)” because “many of us depends on the ocean to make a living.” Others express a personal bond, saying “the sea is my home, I feel proud to be a seaman.” The ocean plays a vital role in supporting families, work, and whole communities, especially in places surrounded by water.

Many contributions reflected the oceans significance in culture and history. For example, “daryo… a traditional Konkani word” traces its roots to the Persian word daryâ. Across different countries and languages, people use their own words to describe the same ocean, showing both diversity and connection.

At the same time, the ocean inspires values and feelings. Some words describe movement and joy, like “lehar… symbolises the movement and energy of the water” and “mauj… also symbolises joy, freedom, and harmony.” Others show ideas about togetherness and respect, such as “the sea receives a hundred rivers… the capacity to embrace difference.” This leads to a strong sense of care, captured in the message: “the ocean is our common home… care with our heart… defend with our actions!”

Each word shows a different way people see the ocean, while also highlighting the strong connection shared by all the cultures in the organisation.

Celebrating the beauty of wildlife from deck

Teams onboard showed a glimpse into the extraordinary; and the connection that they have with the ocean and nature by sharing photographs that capture the ocean as part of daily work at sea.

The images show a range of perspectives. Open water, changing weathers, and moments alongside marine life.

Together, these photographs offer an unfiltered view of the waters our vessels move through, and of the responsibility carried by those who navigate them, day after day.

Encompass: Our commitment to responsible action

These activities sit within our wider commitments under the Evolving Environmental Stewardship pillar, focused on strengthening our approach to protection and sustainable management.

Sustainability is delivered through people and daily action. From onboard practices to onshore initiatives, each action supports a consistent approach to responsible operations. This includes maintaining safety, managing environmental impact, and supporting long-term performance.

Earlier this year, this approach was reflected during Earth Hour, when around 1,000 seafarers switched off non-essential systems and lighting onboard vessels.

World Ocean Day brings these efforts into focus, but the connection between our work and the ocean is constant. Our people are central to how we deliver sustainability in practice, every day.