CMA CGM, a major French container shipping company, stated that it would no longer transport plastic waste aboard its ships not long ago, a decision backed by non-governmental organizations.

But recently, Maersk expressed a different viewpoint. The shipping giant, also based in Europe, warns that stopping transporting plastic waste would not only not improve the ocean environment but could prevent this type of waste from being exported to destinations where sorting, recycling, or recovery can be assured.

The non-governmental organization Plastic Change urged Maersk to stop transporting plastic waste after its competitor, CMA CGM, announced it would no longer transport plastic waste for environmental protection. Louise Lerche-Gredal, head of Plastic Change, wrote in an article, "It's time for Maersk to take a stand on whether they will continue to be part of the waste transportation problem. Plastic waste increases pollution and, like the climate crisis, affects the world's most vulnerable societies."

Maersk will not do what CMA CGM did because banning the transport of plastic waste for environmental reasons is not a good idea, Maersk said. "We do not believe a total ban on the transportation of plastic waste is feasible because such a ban would prevent us from helping responsible companies and organizations transport plastic waste and other recycled materials to recycling sites."

According to a press release issued by CMA CGM on February 11, the decision to stop transporting plastic waste was made because the French carrier wanted to prevent plastic waste from being "exported to destinations where sorting, recycling or recovery could not be assured. "Every year, around 10 million tons of plastic waste end up in the sea. Unless action is taken, that figure is set to triple over the next 20 years to reach 29 million tons per year, which will cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems, fauna and flora."

CMA CGM claimed it transported roughly 500,000 tons of plastic waste in 2021. Maersk did not disclose its senior plastic waste transportation volume, but according to Plastic Change, Maersk ranked third.

Maersk emphasizes that it is "a responsible company, and we certainly take environmental protection seriously. Ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory procedures regarding the import and export of plastic waste has always been ingrained in our business and daily activities."

Maersk also has a partnership with an ocean cleanup organization. The organization recycles plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, and stopping the transportation of plastic waste would prevent Maersk from assisting the organization in transporting the collected plastic to recycling sites.