World

HELM – PwC Economy of the Sea Barometer

In detail

The seas have always been one of mankind's biggest and most significant natural resources. In the past, primarily for food, shipbuilding, transport, and naval defences; more recently for oil and gas, and tourism; and now, increasingly, for 'blue' biotechnology, robotics, seabed mining, and renewable energy. It's no surprise, then, that coastal nations see their seas as vital national assets, and are putting an ever greater emphasis on protecting them. More countries are applying to the UN to extend their continental platform, and more companies are competing for the opportunity to explore and exploit them. The potential is as vast as the sea itself: over 70% of the planet is covered by water, and yet even now, only 5% of the seabed has been mapped and photographed.

Relevant themes identified:

  • Countries with larger exclusive economic zones have a greater potential for harnessing the extraordinary value of the oceans. Below is the ranking of the 25 countries with the largest exclusive economic zone.
  • Greece, Japan, China, Germany and Singapore are the countries that concentrate the majority of vessel ownership.
  • The ten largest container ports in the world are Asian, with 7 being Chinese.
  • In 2018, Asia (China, South Korea and Japan) accounted for about 82% of vessel production completed that year, at levels of 35.6%, 23% and 23.4%, respectively.
  • In 2018, Saudi Arabia (10%), Qatar (8,8%) and Norway (8,2%) were the top three offshore oil and gas producers.
  • Offshore wind power capacity in the world is led by three countries (UK, Germany and China), representing 81.81% of total installed capacity in the world. Fourth, Denmark represents 5.74% of capacity.
  • In 2019, the country with the largest number of large-scale naval equipment (aircraft carriers, frigates, destroyers, corvettes and submarines) is China with 204, followed immediately by the USA with 197. Russia occupies the third place with 165 large naval equipment.
  • In 2018, Nigeria was the country with the highest number of pirate attacks (24%).  
  • The main areas with the largest number and weight of plastic particles are the North Pacific Ocean (38% and 36%, respectively), the Indian Ocean (25% and 22%, respectively) and the North Atlantic Ocean (18% and 21%, respectively).
  • The top 10 countries at the fisheries level, led by China with 19.2% of catches, account for about 60% of total global fisheries, and have significantly increased their catch in the last 10 years.
  • Inland aquaculture is the main contributor to aquaculture growth, with China being the most relevant country, accounting for 62% of global aquaculture production.
  • The Caribbean (34%) still holds the largest market share in the business of cruise ships, closely followed by the Mediterranean (17%) and the rest of Europe (11%).
  • Indonesia is the country with the higher number of submarine cable landing points (12%), followed by the United States of America (11%).
  • Americas are the region with the major market share in blue biotechnology, with more than 40% of the global market.

Others documents:

Other editions

2018

PwC HELM Circumnavigation - Download

HELM World in-depth - Download

Economy of the Sea Map - Download

2017

PwC HELM Circumnavigation - Download

HELM World in-depth - Download

Economy of the Sea Map - Download

2016

PwC HELM Circumnavigation - Download

HELM World in-depth - Download

Economy of the Sea Map - Download

2015

PwC HELM Circumnavigation - Download

HELM World in-depth - Download

Economy of the Sea Map - Download

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