DP World Launches First Global Seagrass Restoration Initiative in South Korea

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA, June 17 – DP World has launched its first global seagrass restoration initiative on Geoje Island in South Korea, marking a significant expansion of the logistics group’s environmental stewardship efforts into blue carbon and coastal ecosystem restoration.

The four-year project aims to restore up to 2.4 hectares of seagrass habitat in the coastal waters of Dadae Village on Geoje Island. The initiative is expected to support marine biodiversity, strengthen blue carbon ecosystems and contribute to the livelihoods of local fishing communities.

The project has been formalised through a memorandum of understanding between DP World, the Korea Green Foundation and the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA).

Under the agreement, the three organisations will collaborate on seagrass monitoring, science-informed restoration methods and long-term engagement with public, private and community stakeholders.

The initiative was launched on World Ocean Day, when representatives from the partner organisations and members of the local fishing community transplanted approximately 6,000 seagrass shoots along the Dadae coastline.

Restoring a Critical Blue Carbon Ecosystem

Seagrass meadows are among the world’s most valuable coastal ecosystems, providing habitat and nursery grounds for marine species while helping support fisheries and broader ecosystem health.

They are also recognised as an important form of blue carbon habitat because of their ability to absorb and store carbon naturally in marine vegetation and seabed sediments.

The degradation of seagrass ecosystems has therefore become a growing concern for researchers, conservation groups and policymakers seeking nature-based approaches to climate mitigation, biodiversity protection and coastal resilience.

DP World said the Geoje project will seek to improve the condition of the local marine environment while generating insights that could inform future restoration work.

Glen Hilton, CEO and Managing Director for Asia Pacific at DP World, said healthy ocean ecosystems are closely linked to sustainable trade and the wellbeing of coastal communities.

“By restoring seagrass meadows in Geoje, we are helping protect one of nature’s most effective blue-carbon ecosystems while supporting marine biodiversity and local livelihoods,” Hilton said.

“Together with the Korea Green Foundation and FIRA, we are supporting research, restoration and community engagement efforts that can deepen our understanding of these valuable marine ecosystems to strengthen the resilience of our coasts for future generations.”

The project is also expected to benefit local communities by helping improve marine productivity and potentially supporting fish catch levels over time.

Seagrass habitats can provide shelter and feeding areas for fish and other marine organisms, making their restoration relevant not only to conservation but also to the long-term health of local fisheries.

Combining Science, Community and Long-Term Monitoring

FIRA will lead ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the restoration site. The project will also include community engagement initiatives intended to support long-term stewardship and build local awareness of marine conservation.

The partners plan to use the Geoje initiative as a foundation for further research, public education and collaborative coastal restoration activities.

Jung Tae-yong, Secretary General of the Korea Green Foundation, described seagrass meadows as essential components of coastal ecosystems. “They store carbon, help prevent coastal erosion and act as a breakwater for the ecosystem,” he said.

“This project goes beyond simple environmental protection, bringing together businesses, public institutions and local communities to expand practical marine-conservation models and public awareness of the importance of climate action.”

The partnership model reflects growing recognition that nature restoration projects require more than one-off planting activity. Long-term success depends on site selection, scientific monitoring, ecosystem compatibility, local ownership and continued maintenance.

By combining a corporate partner, a public fisheries agency, an environmental foundation and the local fishing community, the Geoje project seeks to establish a more durable framework for seagrass restoration.

Blue Carbon Gains Attention in Corporate Climate Strategies

Blue carbon ecosystems—including seagrass meadows, mangroves and salt marshes—are receiving increased attention within corporate sustainability and climate strategies.

Unlike many terrestrial ecosystems, coastal habitats can store significant quantities of carbon in waterlogged sediments for long periods. At the same time, they provide important co-benefits through shoreline protection, biodiversity support, water quality improvement and fishery productivity.

However, these ecosystems remain vulnerable to coastal development, pollution, dredging, warming seas and other forms of environmental degradation.

Restoration programmes are therefore increasingly being considered alongside protection measures as governments and companies seek nature-based solutions capable of delivering both climate and biodiversity outcomes.

For DP World, the South Korea project extends a wider portfolio of environmental initiatives across Asia-Pacific. The company is already involved in a mangrove ecosystem restoration programme in Indonesia, aligned with its commitment to restore and protect 280 hectares of mangroves globally by 2030.

Its other regional activities include watershed rehabilitation in the Philippines and coral reef restoration in Australia. Together, these projects reflect a broader strategy focused on ecosystems considered important to local communities and the resilience of coastal and marine environments.

Trade, Ports and Coastal Resilience

DP World’s involvement in seagrass restoration also illustrates the growing connection between global trade infrastructure and nature-related risks. Ports, terminals and logistics networks are often located close to coastlines, making them directly exposed to marine degradation, extreme weather, erosion and rising sea levels.

Healthy coastal ecosystems can help reduce some of these risks by stabilising sediments, buffering wave energy and supporting ecosystem resilience. This is creating stronger incentives for infrastructure and logistics companies to consider biodiversity and coastal restoration as part of wider sustainability and risk management strategies.

DP World operates across six continents and employs more than 125,000 people globally. In Asia-Pacific, the company has more than 11,000 employees across 22 geographies and operates 17 ports and terminals alongside logistics and supply chain services.

While the Geoje initiative is modest in scale compared with global coastal restoration needs, its significance lies in the model it seeks to establish. By combining scientific monitoring, community participation and corporate funding, the project could generate practical lessons on how businesses can support blue carbon restoration while strengthening marine ecosystems and local livelihoods.

As interest in blue carbon grows, the results from Geoje Island may help inform future restoration initiatives across other coastal markets in Asia-Pacific.