UN Ocean Decade endorsed
SAILOR is a coordination platform enabling the responsible development of ocean-climate solutions from within South Africa.
We bring together coastal communities, researchers, funders and practitioners within shared working frameworks, translating ocean-climate research into carefully governed pilot programmes — with a focus on marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR), water and supply chain linkages, and ecosystem restoration.
Operating as connective infrastructure, we enable scientific grounding, community activation, aligned funding and progression toward pilots within open lab environments. Innovation pathways are adapted and built locally within coastal communities, while welcoming global collaboration, so ocean-climate solutions advance safely, inclusively and with long-term care.
SAILOR is UN Ocean Decade endorsed as part of the Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions. Its work is guided by scientific advisory and integrity oversight through Stellenbosch University's School for Climate Studies, acting on behalf of the South African Carbon Dioxide Removal Reference Group and SArOCCO.
To guide ocean-climate solutions to emerge responsibly and inclusively from within South Africa.
Rising greenhouse gas emissions are warming the ocean, increasing acidity and accelerating biodiversity loss in South Africa and across the globe. Sitting at the meeting point of three oceans, South Africa's coast holds significant potential to buffer climate impacts and support new regenerative industries — when grounded in science and approached with collective support and care.
SAILOR's purpose to guide ocean futures comes to life through five core pillars.
Science and safety first.
SAILOR holds all activity to the highest governance standards, working with leading researchers, policy makers and institutions locally and globally. Measurement and verification are present before experimentation begins, so solutions advance only where safety and responsibility are demonstrated.
Shaped with the coast.
SAILOR is shaped with coastal communities, informed by their long-standing relationships and traditions tied to the ocean. Acknowledging histories of exclusion, inclusion sits at the centre of how pilots are conceived and carried forward, with livelihoods treated as integral to climate action rather than its outcome.
Through a knowledge network.
Researchers, coastal communities, institutions, industry and funders work inside one shared knowledge network. Scientific expertise, indigenous knowledge and industry experience are held in relation to one another, with decisions emerging through informed dialogue rather than hierarchy.
Authored from within.
SAILOR is led from South Africa and informed by its coastlines, ecosystems, indigenous practices and industrial histories across three oceans. It champions African knowledge leadership in ocean-climate solutions, with a core focus on mCDR, allowing innovation pathways to be adapted and built locally.
From lab to ocean, shared by design.
SAILOR operates as an open platform, welcoming local and global innovation. Pilots are proved in closed systems before being slowly and safely brought to the ocean. Knowledge circulates through transparent exchange, with data, learning and process held collectively.
Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) enhances the ocean's natural ability to absorb and store atmospheric carbon, through approaches like ocean alkalinity enhancement, kelp cultivation and coastal restoration. SAILOR coordinates the careful translation of mCDR research into governed pilots, ensuring work advances with scientific integrity, community authorship and long-term care.
The Benguela Current. The Agulhas Current. The Southern Ocean.
South Africa sits where three oceans meet: the Atlantic and Indian converge along 3,000 kilometres of coastline, abutted by the Southern Ocean, creating one of the planet's most dynamic marine environments.
That position, combined with diverse ecosystems, research infrastructure and deep coastal knowledge systems, makes South Africa vital to ocean-climate innovation. SAILOR is born from this landscape.
SAILOR is defined by the network it connects. The platform brings every part of the system into one shared space, so solutions are shaped with the people and places they will affect.
Coastal and indigenous communities stewarding the future of the ocean.
Public institutions, universities, researchers and scientists.
Entrepreneurs and practitioners developing locally authored solutions.
Port-linked actors seeking legitimate, responsible engagement.
Local and international funders supporting research, pilots and blended finance.
Advisory bodies ensuring accountability, coherence and social licence.
A trans-disciplinary group spanning climate innovation, ocean observation, governance, engineering and community-rooted delivery. Together they help SAILOR move carefully from research to responsible pilots.
From strategy to sea
SAILOR Lead · Kinjani House NPC
Connects the SAILOR network and guides the platform from strategy into action.
Science & MRV Lead · CSIR–SOCCO
Leads the scientific framework for measurement, reporting and verification.
Feedstock, LCA & Governance · Wessex Water
Brings wastewater expertise to feedstock pathways, life-cycle analysis and governance.
Ocean Observation · CSIR–SOCCO
Advances ship-based carbon observation and laboratory work across the Southern Ocean.
Science with integrity
Science & Modelling · SA-OCCO
Advises on ocean-carbon science, modelling and South Africa’s research landscape.
Ocean-Climate Innovation
Connects global ocean-climate expertise, technical development and partner networks.
Governance & Social Licence · IOI-SA
Brings deep experience in environmental governance, coastal management and public policy.
Local Governance · Saldanha Bay
Contributes local site knowledge, water-quality governance and applied physics expertise.
Mine Waste & Carbon Capture · University of Pretoria
Explores responsible mineral feedstocks and carbon capture pathways using mine waste.
Researchers, coastal organisations, port-linked industry and funders — SAILOR is open by design. Tell us where you sit in the network.