Blue Growth is the long term EU strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole.

Seas and oceans are drivers for the European economy and have great potential for innovation and growth. It is the maritime contribution to achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Integral Innovation

In SWZ|Maritime's June issue, our editor Annelinde Gerritsen discusses how multi-use of the seas asks for integral innovation. A topic that was also focused on during the BlueWeek.

She says: 'The upcoming energy transition is challenging us to find not only new technological solutions, but also ways to combine these solutions in a harmonious ecosystem at sea.' In her article, Ms Gerritsen refers to the Blue Growth infographic as published by the European Union, which was partially included in the article as well. You can find the full version of the infographic below.

Blue Growth

The 'blue' economy represents roughly 5.4 million jobs and generates a gross added value of almost €500 billion a year. However, further growth is possible in a number of areas which are highlighted within the EU Blue Growth strategy.

The strategy consists of three components:

Develop sectors that have a high potential for sustainable jobs and growth, such as:
a. aquaculture (Fisheries website);
b. coastal tourism;
c. marine biotechnology;
d. ocean energy;
e. seabed mining.
Essential components to provide knowledge, legal certainty and security in the blue economy
a. marine knowledge to improve access to information about the sea;
b. maritime spatial planning to ensure an efficient and sustainable management of activities at sea;
c. integrated maritime surveillance to give authorities a better picture of what is happening at sea.
Sea basin strategies to ensure tailor-made measures and to foster cooperation between countries
a. Adriatic and Ionian Seas;
b. Arctic Ocean;
c. Atlantic Ocean;
d. Baltic Sea;
e. Black Sea;
f. Mediterranean Sea;
g. North Sea.