UN World Oceans Day 2025

Why It’s Important, and How ELIRE Infra Is Building the Future of Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure

Each year, UN World Oceans Day shines a spotlight on one of our planet’s most critical yet endangered ecosystems.

Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, generate 50% of our oxygen, and absorb around 30% of global CO₂ emissions. They’re also the economic backbone for billions, supporting over 3 billion livelihoods globally through maritime trade, fishing, energy, tourism, and logistics. (Source: UN, NOAA)

Yet the marine environment is under increasing threat. From rising sea levels to carbon-intensive port operations and outdated infrastructure, our oceans are in crisis. As coastal cities and maritime industries continue to grow, the need for sustainable, adaptive, and scalable solutions has never been greater.

At ELIRE Infra, we’re not only responding to this challenge, we’re reimagining how waterfront infrastructure can serve both people and planet.

What Is ELIRE Infra’s Role?

At ELIRE Infra, we design and engineer modular, floating infrastructure platforms that support marine transport, cruise terminals, river freight, energy-to-power conversion, offshore wind staging, and marina services.

Our innovations include:

• Floating, non-invasive design – avoids dredging or land reclamation

• Plug-and-play modularity – scalable to different use cases and port sizes

• Clean energy ready – designed to integrate solar, hydrogen, and shore power, enabling innovative low-emission infrastructure solutions.

• Resilient engineering – built to withstand rising sea levels and severe weather

• Circular materials – prioritising recyclability and durability over concrete-heavy builds

Traditional port expansions can cost 10s to 100s of millions and take 7–10 years. ELIRE's smart infrastructure is 10x faster to deploy and dramatically reduces construction impact. (Source: World Bank, Port Economics)

The Challenge: Oceans in Crisis

• Sea levels are projected to rise by up to 1 metre by 2100, threatening 570 coastal cities and over 800 million people (Source: IPCC, C40)

• Port activity accounts for up to 70% of emissions in some coastal cities (Source: OECD, T&E)

These challenges underline the urgency for scalable, sustainable solutions that can be deployed quickly and cleanly in fragile marine environments.

Impact in Numbers

• A single cruise ship emits as much NOx per day as 1 million cars (Source: EMSA, Transport & Environment)

• Global maritime trade is expected to double by 2050 (Source: UNCTAD)

• Over 65% of the world’s ports are not equipped for modern sustainability or climate resilience demands (Source: OECD)

• ELIRE Infra’s Power Hubs are projected to eliminate approx. 500,000 tons of CO2 over 10 years, with a long-term goal of cutting port-based emissions by at least 80%

Why It Matters for Cities, Oceans & Communities

Our innovative solutions are more than infrastructure - they are a vehicle for transformation:

• For cities, they offer a way to expand clean port capacity without massive capital outlay or ecological damage

• For communities, they ensure continuity of economic opportunity in coastal regions vulnerable to climate change

• For the planet, they represent a shift away from carbon-heavy infrastructure to a circular, nature-inclusive future

On This UN World Oceans Day, We Call for Bold Action

Our oceans are reaching a tipping point. On this UN World Oceans Day, we invite partners, cities, and innovators to join us in rethinking infrastructure as an instrument of environmental healing.

Through scalable technology, responsible innovation, and multi-sector collaboration, ELIRE Infra is proud to be part of the global shift toward truly sustainable blue economy solutions.

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How Our Work Supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Our innovations directly support 8 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation & InfrastructureResilient, forward-thinking design for modern maritime demands

• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & CommunitiesSmart infrastructure that grows with population needs without harming coastal environments

• SDG 13 – Climate ActionReduced port emissions, climate-resilient designs, and circular materials

• SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean EnergyInfrastructure that supports electrification and clean maritime operations

• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption & ProductionFocus on lifecycle impact, recyclability, and efficient use of resources

• SDG 14 – Life Below WaterMinimal seabed disturbance and nature-inclusive design

• SDG 15 – Life on LandAvoids land encroachment, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity

• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the GoalsCollaborating with government bodies, innovators, and operators for a shared sustainable vision

Derek McGlashan - VP of Sustainability & Ports

"At ELIRE we're committed to delivering smart, modular, climate-resilient infrastructure with minimal environmental impact. Healthy oceans are vital to our planet’s future—by investing in marine and coastal areas, we can unlock their economic potential while safeguarding critical habitats and species.”