Jordan launches ocean innovation hub with Voyacy Regen

NICE, France , June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein announced a new partnership with blue technology company Voyacy Regen, cofounded by Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau, to build a new ocean technology accelerator and innovation hub in Aqaba, Jordan. Under the Aqaba Marine Park (AMP) initiative, this groundbreaking project will focus on regenerating coral reefs and critical coastal marine infrastructure at scale to create a climate-resilient world where people and the ocean can thrive.

"Today's announcement marks a pivotal step forward in our effort to embed sustainable practices and climate actions as an integral part of Jordan's economic growth, while establishing safeguards that will protect the kingdom's environment and natural resources for future generations," said Hussein Al-Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC). "The Aqaba Marine Park will play a vital role in regenerating coral reefs, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources, in alignment with His Majesty King Abdullah II's vision for Aqaba, and with the guidance and support of the AMP's International Honorary Advisory Board."

Coral reefs absorb up to 97% of storm surge and are critical barriers against increasingly catastrophic storms that already cause billions of dollars of damage and threaten millions of lives. However, coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate – it's estimated that half of the world's corals have disappeared since the 1950s, with 14% vanishing between 2009 and 2018 alone.

"This partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is deeply meaningful to me, and I am honored to be working with His Majesty King Abdullah II," said Philippe Cousteau, Co-founder of Voyacy Regen and Aqaba Marine Park International Honorary Advisory Board Member. "Coastal communities are on the front lines of our rapidly changing world, and we couldn't think of a better partner than Jordan to scale the tangible solutions we need to solve this crisis."

Located within the Aqaba Marine Nature Reserve, under ASEZA's supervision, and home to one of the Red Sea's most vibrant coral reefs and marine ecosystems, the Aqaba Marine Park, in cooperation with Voyacy, will focus on large-scale coral reef regeneration and coastal marine infrastructure to help create a climate-resilient future where both people and the ocean can thrive.

Traditional methods of coral restoration, which involve growing small batches of corals and planting manually, cannot be implemented at the scale and speed needed to meet this crisis. Utilizing Voyacy's approaches, the Innovation Hub in Aqaba represents a nexus of action that will see the development and implementation of new, best-in-class technologies.

The core technology combines 3D-printed reef structures, designed to absorb wave energy, with aquacultured heat-tolerant corals and AI technology. This allows for the rapid and cost-effective deployment of infrastructure that can protect coastal communities against destructive storms while promoting biodiversity. Voyacy and Jordan have mobilized a coral propagation farm and deployed a best-in-class commercial-scale 3D printer in Aqaba to accelerate this technology.Learn more: https://voyacy.com/ .

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