Italian maritime and blue economy development

Italy is increasingly positioned as a strategic Mediterranean hub for the ‘Blue Economy’, with research suggesting the nation can serve as a vital link for energy and digital flows between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. To maintain this competitiveness, reports indicate that Italian ports must transform to support decarbonization, electrification, and renewable energy.

Research from the Blue Economy Monitor, an observatory established by Intesa Sanpaolo and SDA Bocconi School of Management, identifies the Mediterranean Sea as a critical frontier for European energy security, data management, and infrastructure safety. Italy’s potential as a strategic nexus is supported by advanced industrial sectors in subsea cables, offshore engineering, shipbuilding, and telecommunications.

The maritime economy has reached a value of approximately 215 to 224.9 billion euros, accounting for roughly 11.3% to 11.4% of Italy’s GDP and supporting approximately one million workers. Within this sector, cruise activities alone generated 18.1 billion euros in 2024 and supported approximately 113,000 jobs.

Technological advancements, such as the WEPA prototype testing hybrid wave, solar, and wind energy systems in Alghero, are being deployed to improve energy autonomy in isolated areas. Other regional developments include discussions regarding the sustainable regeneration of industrial port cities like Naples and Taranto, alongside the expansion of maritime business networks, such as the B2B Mare event in La Spezia, which connects small and medium enterprises with large maritime contractors.