Italy’s relationship with the sea is entering a new chapter. Beyond shipping routes and coastal tourism, the blue economy is becoming a platform for clean energy, digital connections, scientific discovery, and broader professional opportunity. Its future brings together two priorities: modernizing maritime infrastructure and making room for more talent, including women whose expertise is already helping reshape the sector.
The scale is substantial. Italy’s 2026 national report on the maritime economy identifies 253,599 businesses and more than 1.13 million workers. Direct value added reaches €78.9 billion, rising to €224.9 billion when the activity generated elsewhere in the economy is included – equivalent to 11.4% of national GDP.
