The German established Blue Economy sectors employ about 503 000 people and generate around €42.9 billion in GVA. The Blue Economy employs roughly 1.2% of the national workforce, an increase from 1.1% recorded in 2020. German Blue Economy recorded an increase in contribution to the overall GVA, moving from 0.9% in 2020 to 1.3% in 2021.
The German Blue Economy is dominated by Coastal tourism in terms of employment, with 32% of blue workers employed in this sector. The share has increased since 2020 (29%) and is almost back to pre-Covid levels (in 2019, 35%). Maritime transport contributes to roughly one fourth of the Blue Economy workforce and Port activities to 19%.
In terms of GVA, Maritime transport contributes to almost half the Blue Economy GVA (49%), displaying a large increase on the previous year (38%). Port activities are the second most important contributors to Germany’s Blue Economy GVA (16%).
Germany has the third busiest container port (in terms of gross weight of goods handled) of EU in 2021, which is the Port of Hamburg. The port of Mreberhaven ranks 20th, whilst the Port of Wilhelmshaven ranks 36th in EU.
In terms of passengers embarked and disembarked in ports, the port of Puttgarden is the first ranked in Germany and the 23rd busiest in EU in 2021. Other busy passengers ports are Norddeich (34th) and Rostock (35th).
The RIFS Potsdam carries out research on sustainable development, including in the Blue Economy space.
The Blaue Bioökonomie is an association whose members have committed to contribute to the change to a bio-based economy in Germany supported by R&D in sustainable blue bioeconomy.
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.
