Mission Posidonia

Launched by the Race for Water Foundation,  the Ocean & Climate Odyssey   aims to deepen understanding of the links between the ocean, climate and biodiversity, while mobilising maritime transport stakeholders around decarbonisation.

Carried out on board our new ambassador vessel, the  MODX 70  — the world’s first zero-emission, zero-noise leisure catamaran — this international expedition will unfold over multiple missions across three years.

From the Mediterranean to the North Atlantic via the Caribbean, each mission will serve as a platform for cooperation and collective action, designed to place the ocean back at the heart of the decisions shaping our future.

The first campaign, named “ Posidonia Mission ”, took place  from 9 May to 8 June 2025  along the French coastline between Marseille and Eze. Its goal: to better understand the links between the Ocean and the climate through a scientific mission dedicated to monitoring Posidonia seagrass meadows — the true green lungs of the Mediterranean.

Alongside scientists from the  GIS Posidonie , we explored 13 sites on the French Riviera to assess the evolution of Posidonia meadows at their deepest limits. 25 dives enabled us to relocate 8 markers installed since the 1980s and measure 10 lower boundaries, offering an unprecedented 40-year perspective. 15 Posidonia samples were also collected for analysis.

Early findings highlight a concerning regression of these seagrass meadows — essential for biodiversity, shoreline protection and carbon storage. Further analysis will refine these observations in the coming months.

Beyond its capabilities to host scientific missions, the MODX 70 represents a concrete response to another global challenge :  the decarbonization of maritime transport .

Designed to sail without polluting or noise emissions, this catamaran combines wind propulsion provided by two inflatable, retractable, and automated  Aeroforce ,wings with electric propulsion powered by solar energy and hydrogeneration.

These innovations were at the heart of the workshop  “Full Sail Ahead for the Decarbonization of Maritime Transport”  held in Marseille. By bringing together local stakeholders committed to this transition, the event showcased how scientific research and technological innovation can converge to protect both the oceans and the climate.

The summary of the discussions is available  here .

The mission also included  two major awareness-raising stops  focused on  ocean–climate interdependencies :

The educational and awareness-raising dimension of this first campaign was greatly enriched through strong  collaborations  with the facilitators of the  Fresque Océane , the teams from  Les Petits Débrouillards , and the  Cluster Expédition Génération Mer .

These partnerships made it possible to offer diverse and interactive formats, tailored to young audiences, the general public, political and private decision-makers, as well as the media. A way to open dialogue on the ocean’s vital role and on concrete solutions to protect it.

In total, Mission Posidonia directly reached  more than 600 people  during the eight days docked ,  with national and international media coverage amplifying the impact of our message : a healthy and living ocean is the key to a stable climate and preserved biodiversity.

Businesses play a vital role in the ecological transition.

Through our expeditions, we invite our partners to go beyond simple awareness-raising by offering their employees, clients, or suppliers an immersive experience aboard the MODX 70.

This revolutionary, zero-emission, and silent vessel provides an ideal platform to

• Host inspiring events  immersed in the marine environment.

• Engage teams  in a human, scientific, and environmental adventure.

• Bring  corporate commitments  to decarbonization and marine biodiversity to life.

Building on this first success, the Race for Water Foundation is already preparing the  next stages of the Ocean & Climate Odyssey .

To make them a reality, we are seeking :

• Scientific and institutional collaborations  to deepen the study of climate change impacts on marine ecosystems and to better document the ocean’s role in climate regulation.  Find out more  about our call for scientific collaborations. 

• Partnerships with pioneering companies  ready to join us in testing concrete solutions, supporting scientific research, and amplifying large-scale awareness efforts ; 

• Support from patrons and donor foundations  to help fund ever more ambitious exploration and awareness missions.

   

These upcoming missions aim to :

• Strengthen the production of new scientific data  useful for research and public policy ;

• Roll out awareness and  education programs  for the general public and younger generations ;

• Mobilize an international network of committed actors  to accelerate ocean preservation and maritime decarbonization.