A Swiss-led trimaran yacht on a research expedition studying the impact of plastic pollution on the world's oceans arrived in Shanghai Wednesday.

Shanghai is the "Race for Water Odyssey" expedition's only stop in China.

Marco Simeoni, the man behind the project, said millions of tonnes of plastic waste end up in the sea every year and people must take action to preserve the planet's most important ecosystem.

The yacht, 21 meters long and 17 meters wide, set sail on March 15 from France. It will focus on five trash "vortexes" where waste accumulates in large quantities.

The research team, who are collecting samples and analyzing data while at sea, will conduct seminars in Shanghai to raise awareness on ocean protection.

The yacht's next stop is south Africa.