news & media

Rio de Janeiro Maru
Rio de Janeiro Maru The Major Projects Foundation is researching many wrecks. This is the story of just one... Rio de Janeiro Maru was one of two oil-powered ships built in 1926 for Osaka Shosen K. K. (known today as Mitsui OSK) for their Round the World service from...

Potentially Polluting Wrecks around the world
POTENTIALLY POLLUTION WRECKS AROUND THE WORLD Did you know it’s not just historic shipwrecks that leak oil!?! In 2013 the cruise ship MS Sea Diamond sank off the picturesque Greek Island of Santorini. Although 150,000 litres of oil was pumped out, today the wreck...

Awei Bainivalu – Research Update
Fijian microbiologist Awei Bainivalu is conducting ground-breaking bioremediation research, which aims to use these organisms to clean up oil spills naturally. She is studying bacteria which have been discovered in oil collected by Major Projects Foundation volunteers...

Newsletter – June 2020
Welcome to Major Projects Foundation's e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy this new way to stay informed about the big things happening in our organisation. DGR Status After many months of work the Major Projects Foundation is now recognised by the Australian tax...

Research Update May 2020
Matt Carter details one MPF's high priority wrecks in this video.A word from our Research Director. Dr Matt Carter.Firstly everyone at MPF would like to congratulate Matt on completing his PhD thesis. He is now officially a Dr!While many of us involved with MPF have...

Peter Cundall
Meet Peter Cundall Peter is an amazing guy. He is our Chief Historian and a Director of Major Projects Foundation. Peter, until recent retirement, worked in the maritime industry at Svitzer Australia, the main towage operator in Australia. Peter’s real passion is...

Newsletter – March 2020
Welcome to the first issue of Major Projects Foundation's new e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy this new way to stay informed on Major Projects Foundation's news. RESEARCH DIRECTOR'S PRESENTATION A talk at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club by Matt Carter, Major...

Research Director Presentation – Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
On May 23 Major Projects Foundation formalised its partnership with The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) at the University of Newcastle.The signing of a memorandum of...

Progress Made On Partnership Addressing WWII Shipwrecks In The Pacific
SPREP is working with partners in a large-scale remediation project to address the problem. SPREP, the University of Newcastle, and Major Projects Foundation (MPF), are planning a wide-ranging project to assess the dangers posed...