The Economy of the Sea in Portugal 'is the title of the most recent study on the national maritime-port dossier, in all its quadrants and areas of activity - promoted by Millenium BCP and having as authors EY and Augusto Mateus & Associados, the This report aims to 'systematize an up-to-date view of the main sectors that make up the Sea Economy in our country in terms of their relevance and dynamics, their position in the European context, the policy priorities that apply to them and their challenges and prospects for the future".

 

The study emphasizes in its preambles that one of the major catalysts of the development of the Sea Economy in Portugal will inevitably be the "affirmation of a large and broad platform of collaboration and convergence of intelligences and wishes, of initiatives and investments". A broad and interdisciplinary synergy which will inevitably involve 'the world of science and technology, the business world, government and public administrations', in which the role of ports will be essential, whether' as points and nodes in networks freight transport 'and its' relevance of logistics in global supply chains'.

 

Emphasizing that the global marine economy generates more than US $ 1.5 billion per year in gross added value (corresponding to around 2.5% of world GDP) and accounts for more than 31 million "The document draws on the OECD study" The Ocean Economy in 2030 "to delve into the Portuguese case, starting from the general vision for the particular scenario that we all face:" In Portugal, the Sea Satellite Account constitutes the most developed quantitative measurement instrument of the Sea Economy. According to it, the Portuguese Economy of the Sea already has a significant relevance in 2013, accounting for about 3.1% of national GVA and 3.8% of employment " , says the report. For the authors of the study, "the recent evolution of the Portuguese Sea Economy is marked by two major phenomena": the "resilience" of "traditional" activities such as fishing, tourism and port activity, and the process of consolidation and increase in apparent labor productivity, particularly visible in the aggregate of port activity (with a GVA variation of 30% and employment of 3.6%) '.

 

The report, to which Cargo Magazine had access, further elaborates on the 'challenges' defined by the Minister for the Sea towards 'a better integrated maritime policy': the development of a blueprint for development and the protection of marine ecosystems in a macro-regional development policy ', the articulation of macro-regional development policy' with the financial framework so that all European funds can have a greater maritime profile ', the promotion of decarbonisation and circular economy, the' identity ' and maritime culture of the Atlantic and intersect with other areas of government 'and the promotion of a' model of cooperation around the common objectives for the United Nations Sea '. The study identifies a horizon of transformation in the Sea Economy, anticipating "major changes in technology, economic organization and awareness of the environment and sustainability of resources": concerns that are becoming guidelines (increasingly global) Portugal - "the effective realization of the potential of the Sea Economy will be largely dependent on addressing its main challenges as well as the development of national and supranational policies that promote economic activity in the oceans and provide the incentives their effectiveness and sustainability '.

 

Source, Revista Cargo.