Sea economy, Italy among European leaders

For a country like ours - bordered by over 8,000 kilometres of coastline - the maritime economy represents great potential not only in terms of the economy, but also in terms of employment. Provided that, like all other sectors, the so-called Blue economy (which includes fishing and aquaculture, shipbuilding, maritime transport and tourism) is able to evolve in a technological and, at the same time, sustainable manner.

We are talking about an industry that, overall, in 2022 generated a gross added value of 64.6 billion euro in Italy, with an overall impact on GDP of 178.3 billion, employing more than one million people, as stated in the "Blue Natural Capital" study carried out by Intesa San Paolo and SDA Bocconi School of Management, presented at the launch of the new Observatory on the Maritime Economy promoted by the banking group, which also includes research on maritime transport and in particular on its transition towards decarbonisation. These are the first two steps of a work that will also lead in the coming years to the production of studies and research that can prove useful tools for companies and policy makers to implement the actions necessary for the development of a sector that is decisive for the growth of our country.

"Italy is at the centre of the Mediterranean, whose Natural Blue Capital has an estimated value of USD 5,600 billion, out of a world total of over 24 trillion, expected to grow strongly by 2030 thanks also to the impetus of some ad hoc European regulations," explains Francesco Perrini, Professor of Management at SDA Bocconi.

"This sector represents one of Italy's main economic potentials," confirms Eliza Zambito Marsala, Head of Education Ecosystem and Global Value Programs at Intesa Sanpaolo. "Together with Life Sciences, the Blue Economy is one of the most important global investment and growth trends. For our country, which has an almost thousand-year history linked to the economy of the sea and a privileged geographical position, the importance of this industry is obvious, but it is necessary to update the skills and innovate the technologies necessary for its development and competitiveness. The Monitor was created with the ambition of supporting a public-private ecosystem in which companies and institutions, research centres and universities, work together in an integrated manner"

italy ranks among the top five EU Member States in terms of contribution to the maritime economy, with a leading position in coastal tourism, shipbuilding, maritime transport, and fisheries and aquaculture, the first research report says. Among the emerging sectors, the greatest potential lies in marine renewable energies (especially offshore wind), blue biotechnology, digital solutions for marine ecosystem management and sustainable infrastructure. Experiences in Marine Protected Areas show that conservation can generate economic benefits that outweigh the costs, promoting sustainable tourism and new employment.