Ocean Economy Imperative 2026

Ocean economy definitions To better understand the opportunities and risks the ocean economy presents, it is important to first define what the ocean economy refers to. Multiple organizations use terms such as “ocean economy”, “blue economy”, and “sustainable” or “regenerative” blue economy, with varying industry scopes and levels of adherence to sustainability taxonomies. This paper proposes three functional categorizations:* 1. Total ocean economy – encompasses any economic activity taking place in marine environments or otherwise relying on/benefiting from their presence.2. Low-carbon ocean economy – refers to any low-carbon and/or transitioning ocean economy activities. 3. Regenerative ocean economy – refers to ocean economy activities that contribute to “nature positive” outcomes (i.e. dedicated to restoration/ conservation or having regenerative elements). Across each segment of the ocean economy, clear growth trends and investment opportunities are emerging.1 Estimated total value of the global ocean economy FIGURE 2 114 723386 Services348346 Goods2 89Ocean economy estimated total value*, billion USD Total estimated value: ~$3.3 trillion 1044 91 987 Energy77~1,060 ~1,310 ~900 Sea minerals Seafood processing Marine fisheries, aquaculture and hatcheries High-technology and other manufactures n.e.c Ships, port equipment and parts thereofMarine research and development and related licenses Maritime transport and related services: passengersOffshore wind Offshore oil and gas extraction and offshore industry Port services, related infrastructure services and logistical services Maritime transport and related services: freight Marine and coastal tourism*Note: These categorizations only address the degree to which activities are decarbonized and/or aligned with nature positive outcomes and do not consider social elements such as inclusion and equity. We acknowledge that this social taxonomy should ultimately be included in any official ocean economy taxonomy and that our categorizations are simplified for reader understanding and due to lack of universal agreement on ocean/blue economy nomenclature. Note: *Value of goods, services, and energy is represented by exports, current value, and investments/GVA, respectively. Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Data Centre, BloombergNEF, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)Total ocean economy The current value of the ocean economy is estimated at over $3 trillion (Figure 2), based on data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Data Centre,18 BloombergNEF,19 and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).20