The ports have become essential players in driving the development of the sustainable blue economy their central role in innovation and their potential as drivers of innovation. ocean economya, emphasized World Economic Forum (WEF).
With an 80% of global trade These logistical hubs support both traditional activities, such as shipbuilding and freight transport, and increasingly important industries, including fishing, tourism and defense.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that the ocean economy could double in value, reaching $3 trillion by 2030, provided current operations are maintained.
In this context, the ports represent a key element for the sustainable expansion of the blue economya model that, according to the World BankThe goal is to promote economic growth and job creation without compromising the health of the population. marine ecosystems.
"Ports play a critical role in supporting the sustainable expansion of this ocean economy through many roles, including lessor, operator, regulator and environmental manager. By playing these roles within a public-private partnership model, ports can help drive the sustainable development of the ocean economy," he noted.
Innovation and sustainability: the transforming role of the ports
An example of this impulse is the Port of San Diegowhich since 2016 has been promoting the Blue Economy Incubator. This program has implemented pilot projects in sustainable aquaculture y environmental remediationThe importance of public-private collaboration to transform ports into environmental promoters was emphasized.
The World Economic Forum emphasized that the application of new technologies in these centers makes it possible to protect the environment. coastal ecosystems and advance in sustainability.
Innovative initiatives such as ECOncrete in San Diego, which has created marine concrete structures that are friendly to the natural environment, show that ports can be great allies of biodiversity. This project, which attracted dozens of species in just two months, demonstrates that technology and sustainability can go hand in hand to benefit ecosystems and coastal infrastructure.
New collaboration models for a global blue economy
The WEF stressed that ports should not only be logistics hubs, but also innovation incubators. One example is the StartBlue in San Diego and AltaSea in Los Angeles, which foster startups related to the blue economy. At the port of Seattle, Washington Maritime Blue accelerates partnerships to drive maritime innovation.
The organization stressed the importance of ports being recognized not only for their role in global trade, but also as catalysts for the development of the world economy. blue economy. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is key to building a sustainable maritime future, capable of addressing urgent global challenges, from climate change to the preservation of marine biodiversity.
Source: World Economic Forum