The Cypriot established Blue Economy sectors employ about 37 000 people and generate around €946 million in GVA. The Blue Economy has an extremely positive impact on the Cypriot workforce, employing roughly 8.5% of the national workforce. This share has increased on a year-to-year basis (5.9% in 2020). Cyprus has recorded an increase in contribution of Blue Economy sectors to the overall GVA, moving from 2.0% in 2020 to 4.3% in 2021.
The Cypriot Blue Economy is dominated by Coastal tourism, which contributes to 84% of Cypriot blue jobs and 74% to GVA, in 2021. The tourism sector is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, with employment and GVA increasing from 77% and 42% in 2020. However, 2021 values are still slightly lower than those recorded pre-Covid (i.e. in 2019, 89% for employment and 84% for GVA).
The sectors that employ the second and third biggest shares of blue workers are Marine Living resources (7%) and Shipbuilding and repair (4%). In terms of GVA, Shipbuilding and repair, and Port activities contribute to an overall 17% of the entire national Blue Economy.
The busiest ports in Cyprus are: Port of Zygi (194th busiest port in EU in terms of gross weight of goods handled) and Port of Lemesos (210th).
In terms of passengers embarked and disembarked in ports, Lemesos is the first ranked Cypriot port, however it only ranked 398th in 2021 in EU.
In 2021, Cyprus established a Policy Statement on Maritime Spatial Planning under the coordination of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, setting its vision, priorities, goals and strategic guidelines for the sustainable growth of its Blue Economy. In 2023, Cyprus established its first Maritime Spatial Plan, aiming to facilitate the sustainable exploitation and growth of its marine waters, focusing on the Blue Economy sectors of fisheries, aquaculture, energy (including offshore renewable energy), maritime and coastal tourism, shipping and ports, as well as promoting cultural heritage and the scientific research and knowledge.
The Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI) seeks to drive sustainable blue growth by addressing the needs of industry and society. In 2022, the CMMI published a report on the emerging challenges and prospects of the Blue Economy, highlighting the role of green transport, renewable energy source, and the production of healthy food. The report also calls for the collection of relevant (Blue Economy) data at national level, research and investments in infrastructures.
For more national level data, please visit the Dashboards section within the EU Blue Economy Observatory, where you can also find information about Educational and Employment opportunities in the Blue Economy sectors.
