The Romanian established Blue Economy sectors directly employ more than 58 000 people and generate approximately €1 billion in GVA (2021). The share of the Blue Economy in Romania’s economy is relatively small, representing 0.7% of national employment and 0.5% of GVA, respectively.
The relative importance of the Blue Economy has been slightly reducing in Romania since 2009. In absolute terms, employment in the established Blue Economy sectors decreased by about 25 000 people between 2009 and 2021 (-30%). The COVID-19 pandemic played a considerable effect, with 12 000 jobs lost between 2019 and 2020. Only about a fourth of them were re-employed in 2021.
On the other hand, since 2013 the Romanian Blue Economy GVA started to increase in nominal terms after having hit its lowest level in 2012 (€742 million). It reached its peak in 2019 at €1.1 billion, before a 16% contraction registered in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. All in all, the share of Blue Economy GVA to the national economy has decreased in nominal terms from 0.8% in 2009 to 0.5% in 2021.
The largest Blue Economy sectors in Romania are Shipbuilding and repair and Coastal tourism, which contributed to Romanian Blue Economy employment by nearly 33% and 30%, respectively, and by 31% and 23% to its GVA, respectively. In terms of GVA, however, Port activities was the second largest Blue Economy sector in Romania, with a contribution of 24% and 19% to country’s Blue Economy employment. The next largest Blue Economy sector is Marine living resources, contributing with 11% to the Romanian Blue Economy employment and 10% of its GVA.
In the EU, Romania ranks 3rd in employment and 6th in GVA for Marine non-living resources; 6th in employment and 10th in GVA for Shipbuilding and repair; and 8th in employment for Port activities.
The largest container port in Romania is the port of Constanta, which is the 12th largest in the EU, handling nearly 50 million Tonnes in 2021. Other cargo handling seaports include the ports of Midia and Mangalia.
The port of Costanta is also the largest and most significant port in Romania. It serves mainly as a hub for cruise ships and ferry services.
The National Institute for Marine Research and Development "Grigore Antipa" (Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Geologie și Geoecologie Marină "Grigore Antipa" - NIMRD) conducts research and provides information on marine geology, ecology, and environmental issues, offering insights into the scientific aspects of the blue economy.
The National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Agenția Națională pentru Pescuit și Acvacultură - ANPA) is responsible for fisheries and aquaculture management in Romania, providing information on these sectors and their contribution to the blue economy.
Other national sources of information on the Romanian Blue Economy are:
- Romanian Ministry of Waters and Forests.
The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution.
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.
