New industry platform to tackle sustainability challenges debuts at Metstrade
A new initiative, the Marine Impact Lab, has been launched, aiming to convert sustainability ambitions into profitable, actionable strategies for businesses across the marine sector.
Developed by consultancies Marine Future and Foxall Munro, the Marine Impact Lab will make its debut at Metstrade in Amsterdam on 17 November 2025.
Designed as a high-impact, one-day experience, the lab is limited to 100 participants. It brings together engineers, designers, sustainability leaders, marketers and commercial decision-makers for hands-on workshops focused on tackling the practical challenges of marine sustainability.
Backed by partners including 11th Hour Racing, World Sailing, ICOMIA, Metstrade, Northern Light Composite and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, the lab offers an opportunity for cross-industry collaboration at a time when legislative pressure, rising costs and shifting consumer demands are driving the need for urgent change.
Addressing product development and business operations, the Lab offers two tracks. Marine Futures is leading the Product Track, which explores lifecycle assessment (LCA), sustainable design and operational efficiency.
Director at Marine Futures, Ollie Taylor, notes: “The marine industry already has many of the tools and solutions it needs to reduce impact and build future-proof businesses. What’s been missing is a space to bring people together to collaborate, share ideas and inspiration, and turn that potential into real progress. That’s why we created the Marine Impact Lab, to help drive the industry forward, together.”
Williams Jet Tenders used MarineShift360’s lifecycle modelling to launch Evene, its low-impact luxury tender line, while cutting operational waste by 21 per cent. North Sails invested in solar infrastructure, projected to save over 600 tonnes of CO₂ annually, and Starboard developed an Olympic windsurf board with 19 per cent lower emissions.
The Organisation Track, by Foxall Munro, provides frameworks on carbon reporting, stakeholder engagement and governance. Co-founder at Foxall Munro, Damian Foxall, says: “There’s a lot of noise around sustainability, but not nearly enough clarity on what good looks like, the commercial outcomes or how to actually deliver it. The Marine Impact Lab is designed to cut through that. It gives teams the structure, tools and space to focus on what matters, and to leave with confidence, clarity and a clear plan to move our industry forward.”
Foxall Munro’s Sustainability Toolbox supports over 950 professionals across 95 sectors, including the Australian Olympic Committee, national sports federations, universities and SMEs, providing free, step-by-step templates for self-auditing and customising sustainability initiatives.
Exhibition manager at Metstrade, Patricia Becker, says: “We are incredibly happy to work alongside the Marine Impact Lab and the other key stakeholders on this joint approach.
“While many initiatives in the marine industry focus on sustainability, we believe that by emphasising the critical importance of collaboration and actively working together, we can achieve significantly greater collective impact. The Marine Impact Lab represents a vital step forward in fostering this unified effort.”
Tickets for the Marine Impact Lab are priced at €150, covering a fully catered day of interactive workshops, expert speakers, resources, a networking lunch, and a closing happy hour.
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