90% of the products we consume are transported by ship. But at what cost to our oceans? The Aquarium-Museum invites you to a special screening of *Freightened: The Real Price of Shipping*, a bold and revealing investigation into the shipping industry. A true invisible pillar of the globalized economy, this sector plays a major role in our consumption patterns, while placing considerable pressure on marine ecosystems. 

A documentary that lifts the veil on an opaque industry  

Directed by Denis Delestrac, an award-winning documentary filmmaker known for his investigative films,Freightenedtakes us behind the scenes of an industry largely unknown to the general public. More than 60,000 ships constantly crisscross the oceans, transporting nearly 500 million containers each year. Smartphones, clothing, food: the majority of everyday goods have traveled thousands of kilometers before reaching us. 

Yet this logistical efficiency hides an alarming reality for the health of the oceans and the planet. 

Staggering statistics

The film highlights particularly concerning data: 

• A single container ship pollutes as much as 50 million cars 
• 1.8 million tons of oil and toxic chemicals are dumped into the oceans every year 
• A 90% reduction in the acoustic habitat of humpback whales due to engine noise 
• More than 100 cargo ship sinkings per year, mainly due to poorly maintained vessels 
• Massive noise pollution disrupting marine mammals’ communication and causing disorientation and strandings 

A documentary in line with the mission of the Aquarium-Muséum 

As a scientific institution dedicated to marine conservation, the Aquarium-Museum is directly concerned by the issues raised in this film. Today, maritime transport is one of the most underestimated threats to aquatic biodiversity. 

Freightened sheds light on issues at the heart of our missions: 

• Protection of marine mammals: the cetaceans studied and presented to the public are directly affected by shipping traffic 
• Ocean pollution: spills, contaminated ballast water, and the introduction of invasive species 
• Climate change: shipping is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions 
• Lack of regulation: a largely unregulated industry operating under "flags of convenience" 

A necessary debate, an urgent need for awareness 

This documentary is not a critique of global trade, but a call to rethink our consumption patterns and demand more sustainable practices. Following the screening, the audience will be invited to discuss key questions: 

• How can we reconcile a globalized economy with ocean conservation? 
• What alternatives exist for more responsible maritime transport? 
• What role should consumers, citizens, and decision-makers play? 

An eye-opening evening 

Freightened invites us to take a fresh look at the ocean—and at our consumption habits. Understanding the invisible impacts of our daily choices is an essential step toward systemic change. 

Practical information

Doors open: 6:00 PM
Introduction: 6:30 PM
End of the evening: 8:30 PM 

Reservations required. Ages 7 and up.

Films in their original language with subtitles. 

Watch the trailer