Ocean Sciences Signs Non-Binding MOU with Australia-Indonesia Centre to Develop Seaweed Value Chain
Ocean Sciences Ltd (ASX:OSS) OSS (ASX:OSS) announced on 20 October 2026 that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australia-Indonesia Centre to create a framework for an Indonesia–Australia Seaweed Value Chain Partnership. The initial focus will be on value-added seaweed products produced in Indonesia with potential supply to the Australian market.
Key Points
Ocean Sciences formalised a non-binding MOU with the Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC), which is hosted and legally administered by Monash University.
The MOU has a 12-month duration from signing, extendable by written consent, and is only binding in terms of confidentiality, intellectual property, and public announcement clauses.
This agreement formalises an existing collaboration where the AIC had previously introduced Ocean Sciences to potential business opportunities and commercial partners.
The MOU does not impose any binding obligation to fund or proceed with a pilot program and does not guarantee immediate revenue for Ocean Sciences.
Overview of the Australia-Indonesia Centre
The Australia-Indonesia Centre is a bilateral research initiative founded by the Australian and Indonesian governments alongside leading universities and industry partners. Its mission is to strengthen bilateral ties through science, technology, education, innovation, and culture. The AIC operates as an unincorporated initiative hosted and legally managed by Monash University. It maintains a research presence in Sulawesi via the Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research program with Universitas Hasanuddin, including studies on the South Sulawesi seaweed industry and its value chains.
Details of the Seaweed Value Chain Partnership
Under the MOU, both parties plan to explore collaborative research projects aimed at developing, applying, and commercialising seaweed-based products and technologies. Key objectives include establishing direct supply chains for value-added seaweed products between Indonesia and Australia, building processing, quality control, and traceability capabilities in South Sulawesi, linking seaweed producers to higher-value markets, identifying Australian offtake and commercial partners, and evaluating commercialisation opportunities for seaweed research outcomes. The MOU also considers a potential pilot program to assess the partnership’s commercial viability.
MOU Terms and Conditions
The MOU is effective for 12 months from execution and may be extended by written agreement. It is non-binding except for confidentiality, intellectual property, and public announcement provisions. Any pilot program, funding, supply arrangement, offtake agreement, or commercial project will require separate agreements between involved parties. The filing clarifies there is no assurance that any proposed opportunity will lead to a binding commercial agreement. Ocean Sciences will provide market updates if the collaboration results in a material binding agreement or other significant developments.