Yachting Art Magazine

On 8 June, World Oceans Day, FPT Industrial — the Iveco Group brand specialising in low environmental impact propulsion systems — reaffirmed its commitment to preserving marine environments by supporting the ‘Blue Forest’ project led by the One Ocean Foundation. This programme, focused on restoring Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds in the Mediterranean, marks a new step in the Turin-based company's sustainable strategy.

A project to regenerate the ‘blue lungs’

The ‘Blue Forest’ project aims to protect and restore marine forests, particularly those composed of Posidonia oceanica, a plant endemic to Mediterranean waters. A true pillar of coastal ecosystems, this species plays an essential role in stabilising the seabed, reducing coastal erosion and providing a habitat for more than 350 marine species.

Beyond its local ecological functions, Posidonia stands out for its exceptional ability to absorb carbon dioxide: up to 130 kg of CO₂ per square metre per year, which is about 15 times more than the Amazon rainforest over the same area. It also helps oxygenate the water, producing up to 20 litres of oxygen per square metre of seagrass meadow per day.

An ecological emergency

Despite its qualities, Posidonia is endangered. Since the 1950s, seagrass meadows have declined by up to 90% in some areas. The main causes are pollution, poorly positioned anchors and trawling, which weaken a very slow-growing ecosystem: the plant grows only one to two centimetres per year, making restoration processes long and complex.

This is the context in which the One Ocean Foundation is working. Its objective is twofold: to replant Posidonia in degraded areas while creating an international network of universities, NGOs, public authorities and institutions. This network promotes the launch of concrete marine reforestation projects, accompanied by awareness-raising campaigns and scientific research.

Technological support from FPT Industrial

To support this initiative, FPT Industrial has provided a boat dedicated to underwater reforestation missions. The vessel is powered by two N60 engines from the NEF series, specially designed for marine applications. Manufactured in Turin at the dedicated Industrial & Marine plant, these engines are known for their robustness, optimised fuel consumption and easy maintenance — valuable assets for often complex missions at sea.

In addition to their mechanical performance, these engines are combined with connected solutions that enable remote monitoring and real-time alerts. These technologies ensure increased reliability and uptime — a major requirement in maritime operations, whether commercial or recreational.

A long-term commitment

FPT Industrial makes no secret of its ambition to place sustainability at the heart of its actions. As Egle Panzella, Brand and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, points out:

"We are proud to support the mission of the One Ocean Foundation, a cause we immediately felt connected to. Contributing to the preservation of ecosystems is a concrete way to give substance to the commitment of FPT Industrial and the Iveco Group to sustainable development. To this end, we have provided the Foundation with a boat equipped with two NEF series engines, which perfectly represent the reliability of the brand's marine engines."

This involvement is in line with the commitments of the Iveco Group, whose sustainability roadmap includes both the decarbonisation of transport and the preservation of natural resources.

The Mediterranean at the heart of priorities

While environmental issues are global, the Mediterranean is an area of particular concern. This semi-enclosed basin is particularly vulnerable to human impact: heavy maritime traffic, pollution, overfishing and coastal urbanisation. Regenerating its seabed is therefore not just a symbolic gesture, but a strategic move for regional environmental resilience.

By focusing on cross-sector collaborations such as that between FPT Industrial and the One Ocean Foundation, the Blue Forest project seeks to demonstrate that an approach combining industrial expertise and environmental awareness is not only possible but necessary.

Towards a more sustainable marine future

The active participation of industrial players in conservation programmes such as this one is an important lever for changing practices. In a world where oceans play a major role in climate regulation, every square metre of replanted seagrass counts.

Through this partnership, FPT Industrial is demonstrating that technical innovation can be used to serve an ecological cause. World Oceans Day thus becomes much more than a symbolic moment: it embodies a concrete commitment to take action, with the appropriate means, to preserve marine resources for future generations.