Report on the current status of blue economy business sectors and development trends of key sectors

Abstract

<p>The aims of blue economy and the Blue Growth Agenda, in line with the Baltic Sea Region (EUBSR)<br />strategy, are major driving forces in the future Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) processes. This<br />report outlines the current status of the selected blue economic businesses in the Plan4Blue (P4B)<br />project area in Finland and Estonia and depicts some possible development trends, based on their<br />ten-year past development. This analysis of the blue industry development is primarily based on<br />Orbis Europe database and national statistics databases. The sectoral development is illustrated with<br />graphs presenting turnover and employment figures development and some future trends in the P4B<br />project area in Finland and Estonia separately. All key sectors show positive long-term development,<br />tourism industry showing the strongest future growth potential in terms of expected number of<br />employees. In terms of productivity, the energy sector and marine construction sector are the highest<br />performers out of the selected blue industry sectors in the P4B project area. To better understand the<br />future development and sustainable growth potential of the selected blue industry sectors and coastal<br />regions, more research is suggested to be carried out.<br /></p>