Aurora Expeditions takes a stand against microplastic pollution, setting a new benchmark for sustainable Antarctic cruising.
Aurora Expeditions has teamed up with Cleaner Seas Group to fit cutting-edge microfibre filters on its new ship, Douglas Mawson. This partnership sets a new benchmark for sustainable cruising in Antarctica. The Australian pioneer in small-ship adventure travel and a proud Certified B Corporation™, has announced a ground-breaking partnership with UK-based environmental tech start-up Cleaner Seas Group. Their shared mission? To tackle the growing threat of microplastic pollution, starting with the Antarctic cruise season.
Cleaner Seas partnership is a first for the cruise industry
In a move that sets a new standard for responsible cruising, Aurora Expeditions will install Indikon marine-grade microfibre filtration systems on the washing machines aboard its latest vessel, Douglas Mawson. These advanced filters, developed by Cleaner Seas Group, are designed to capture up to 99% of microfibres released during laundry cycles. The result is fewer microplastics escaping into the ocean via the ship’s greywater system.
“Microfibre pollution is one of the most overlooked forms of plastic waste, often invisible, yet pervasive from coastlines to the poles,” says Sasha Buch, Sustainability Manager at Aurora Expeditions.
“By installing Cleaner Seas’ filtration systems aboard Douglas Mawson, we’re taking a proactive step to keep microplastics out of some of the most pristine waters on Earth.”
What exactly are microplastics & microfibres?
Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic less than 5 millimetres in size. Think of a peppercorn and you’re looking at the size of microplastics. These insidious plastic pieces have been found everywhere from bustling beaches to the icy reaches of Antarctica and the Arctic. Microfibres are microplastics’ hidden, though no less troublesome, cousin. A single load of synthetic laundry can shed hundreds of thousands of microfibres. Once these fibres reach the ocean, they’re easily ingested by plankton and marine life, moving up the food chain and spreading pollutants far and wide.
After a successful run aboard Douglas Mawson, Aurora Expeditions plans to roll out the microfibre filtration system to its other purpose-built ships, Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer, when they return to Europe in 2026. It’s a clear sign that Aurora is committed to long-term, scalable solutions for cleaner oceans.
We can all help reduce ocean pollution
Cleaner Seas Group’s closed-loop sustainability model ensures that used filter cartridges from Aurora’s ships won’t end up in landfill. Instead, they’ll be collected and recycled locally, transforming captured microfibres into new, sustainable materials.
“Building on our global growth, Cleaner Seas Group is set to establish a dedicated recycling facility in New Zealand in the near future, further strengthening our commitment to reducing ocean microplastic pollution worldwide,” says David Miller, CEO of Cleaner Seas Group.
Lisa Blair, the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica unassisted and a former special guest onboard Aurora Expeditions, collected 180 microplastic samples during her 2022 circumnavigation. Her findings? The highest concentrations were in waters south of Australia, which is the very region where Douglas Mawson will operate during the 2025/2026 season.
“Even in the most remote places on Earth, microplastics are present,” Blair says. “Stopping fibres at the source matters.”
This latest initiative is just one part of Aurora Expeditions’ wider sustainability and innovation program. From AI-enabled climate sensors with CounterCurrent to marine restoration partnerships, Aurora continues to push boundaries in its mission to travel with purpose and protect some of the world’s most fragile environments.
