Underwater noise, especially from shipping, is receiving more attention as the noise level makes it difficult for whales and other marine mammals to navigate, find food and reproduce. Ocean Alliance maps the whales’ movement patterns with the help of drones, to disturb the whales as little as possible.

The organization’s founder Dr. Roger Payne discovered that whales are singing and his recordings of whale songs are now on the way to other solar systems in the Voyager spacecrafts. Ocean Alliance has also spoken before the UN, appeared in over 40 documentaries and the IMAX film Whales. Now they are endorsing the Oceanbird concept.

Dr Roger Payne

“Everyone should stand behind it. If shipping became propelled once more by sails, both the sounds that are destroying the lives of animals in the ocean, like whales, and the burning of so much fossil fuels, would cease” says Dr Dr Roger Payne. “What Wallenius is doing is wonderful. I’m not exaggerating my feelings. I don’t think there is anything, any step, which is cutting so much of the roots instead of just thrashing at the branches.”

Wallenius Marine supports further research

Besides from Oceanbird, Wallenius already takes several measures that benefit whales, such as developing energy-efficient ship designs, promoting slower shipping and investments in hull cleaning. Wallenius Marine also supports Ocean Alliance’s research projects on how whales are affected by increased shipping after the pandemic.

Read more at Wallenius Marine blog