From June 9 to 13, 2025, the French city of Nice is hosting the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). Co-chaired by France and Costa Rica, the event brings together over 60 heads of state and thousands of delegates—including scientists, NGOs, industry leaders, and international organizations—to accelerate global efforts in ocean protection. With marine ecosystems under mounting stress from pollution, overfishing, and climate change, the stakes have never been higher.
Key Themes of UNOC3
The conference will center on four priority areas:
- Protecting Marine Biodiversity. Building on the 2023 High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, UNOC3 will push for wider ratification and concrete steps to preserve international marine ecosystems.
- Combating Marine Pollution. From microplastics to chemical runoff, the conference will highlight solutions to prevent waste at the source and advance circular waste management systems.
- Decarbonizing Maritime Transport. With maritime shipping accounting for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, UNOC3 will spotlight low-emission propulsion technologies and alternative fuels.
- Advancing Ocean Science. The need for robust marine data, AI-powered monitoring systems, and open science collaborations will be emphasized to support better ocean governance.
The conference will culminate in the Nice Ocean Action Plan, designed to turn global pledges into tangible, trackable progress.
DirectIndustry’s Frontline Coverage of Ocean Innovation
As part of our commitment to covering sustainable industry, DirectIndustry has followed 3 key initiatives that reflect the core themes of UNOC3:
1/ On Board Perseverance: The World’s Largest Oceanographic Sailboat
In our 2023 report, we joined the Perseverance team in Marseille to witness how a 42-meter aluminum sailboat is revolutionizing ocean research. Perseverance was designed by French explorer Jean-Louis Étienne to support the Polar POD expedition in the Antarctic Ocean. She will serve a dual role: resupplying the Polar POD—a vertical drifting research station studying the Antarctic Circumpolar Current—and conducting its own scientific research in the Southern Ocean.
Equipped with advanced sensors, the ship will collect continuous data on ocean-atmosphere interactions, biogeochemical properties, and phytoplankton populations. These studies aim to enhance understanding of the Antarctic Ocean’s role as a significant carbon sink and its impact on global climate regulation.
Perseverance utilizes wind propulsion and incorporates a 600 hp engine with catalytic converters and urea exhaust treatment to minimize emissions.
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2/ Tara Oceans: Mapping Invisible Marine Life
In early 2024, we reported from Marseille aboard Tara, the iconic research schooner operated by the Tara Ocean Foundation. This floating lab focuses on the microbiome of the seas—especially plankton, which play a critical role in carbon sequestration and global oxygen production.
The vessel has collected over 13,000 water samples globally, leading to the discovery of numerous new microalgae species and viruses. Using genomic sequencing and imaging tools, the Tara team aims to assess chemical pollution along Europe’s coastlines and understand how ecosystems respond to human-induced impacts.
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3/ Interview with Alfa Laval: Decarbonizing the Shipping Industry
In February 2024, we spoke with Oscar Kallerdahl, Head of Marine Separation at Alfa Laval. He told us about how the Swedish group is helping make shipping more sustainable. The company’s portfolio includes advanced fuel purification systems, exhaust gas scrubbers, and heat recovery solutions. These technologies are already being adopted to meet the IMO’s decarbonization targets.
Kallerdahl highlighted Alfa Laval’s work on biofuels and methanol-ready systems, as well as its data-driven service platforms that help operators maximize energy efficiency in real time. The company indeed believes that the transition to clean shipping must be both technically feasible and economically viable. This vision is directly aligned with UNOC3’s push for industry-wide transformation.
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What UNOC3 Means for Industry Stakeholders
Although UNOC3 is primarily a policy-focused event, it represents a pivotal opportunity for industrial actors to engage with the future of sustainable ocean economies. From clean propulsion to marine biotech, ocean robotics to real-time AI monitoring, the private sector will play a central role in shaping tomorrow’s solutions.
Technological innovation is no longer a supporting act—it is a driving force. The conference is expected to spark new public-private partnerships, funding frameworks, and cross-sectoral collaborations that can accelerate real-world impact.
Stay tuned as DirectIndustry will bring you interviews and updates from maritime innovators like Beyond the Sea and Deep Search Ocean.
