Global Scans · Marine · Weekly Summary

• [New] In Great Britain alone, coastal tourism attracts over 270 million day visitors annually, supporting 285,000 jobs (Elliott et al., 2018), while the OECD predicts that marine and coastal tourism will generate US$ 777 billion globally by 2030. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Sustainable Ocean Alliance is inviting proposals from small organizations and local leaders working to establish and strengthen marine protected areas and other area-based conservation measures, part of the global push to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. Impact Funding
• [New] The closure of the strait of Hormuz has created conditions for an extreme global biodiversity threat, with scientists warning that thousands of stranded ships could spread invasive marine species across the world's oceans once they begin sailing again. The Guardian
• [New] The coastal regions of Patagonia offer spectacular opportunities to observe marine mammals in their natural environment. TripToGo
• [New] During the current El Nino year, WMO expected higher ocean temperatures, worse coral bleaching and marine heatwaves. / Australia UNOG
• [New] The offshore segment is expected to register the highest CAGR from 2026 to 2034 due to substantial investments in marine infrastructure, policy incentives, and higher capacity factors achievable over water. Polaris
• [New] The SDG 2025 progress report indicated that only 8.4% of the ocean is a designated marine protected area, well off of the 30% by 2030 goal. - JURIST - News
• [New] While mining has been halted until 2029, that still only provides a narrow window to catalog species and establish marine protected areas before permanent extraction begins. The Arctic Institute - Center for Circumpolar Security
• [New] A new United Nations assessment of ocean health documents a deepening crisis as climate change, pollution, overfishing, and biodiversity loss threaten marine ecosystems crucial to human survival. Insurance Journal
• Fastest-growing Application: The offshore segment is forecasted to grow the fastest through 2033, owing to expanding renewable energy projects, port development, and demand for specialized marine foundation solutions. Persistence Market Research
• The maritime industry is gradually moving toward the International Hydrographic Organization's S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model, creating significant opportunities for marine navigation system providers. Persistence Market Research
• A growing number of whale deaths along the West Coast has conservationists warning that 2026 could become one of the deadliest years on record for the marine mammals. ABC7 Los Angeles
• Globally, the IEA predicts that by 2050 over 300 GW of marine energy capacity will be installed - resulting in $35 billion of investment, 680,000 direct jobs, and a reduction of 500 million tons of CO2 per year. National Hydropower Association
• A number of US companies will be deploying their next generation marine energy systems in US waters over the next 12-18 months, dramatically lowering the delivered cost of electricity and in many cases, providing the lowest cost electricity solution for their customers. National Hydropower Association
• Demonstration projects and research supported by the U.S. Department of Energy confirm that marine energy technologies offer meaningful benefits to the electric system - and open significant opportunities for off-grid and mission-critical applications. National Hydropower Association
• By the end of 2029, the Humboldt Bay Harbour, Recreation & Conservation District plans to complete Phase 1 of the proposed Humboldt offshore wind heavy lift marine terminal project. North Coast Offshore
• A collapse in ecosystem services such as wild pollination, provision of food from marine fisheries and timber from native forests could result in a decline in global GDP of $2.7 trillion in 2030 (Johnson et al, 2021). Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• The cost of marine insurance in the Black Sea increased 204-fold in the second quarter of 2026, while the loss ratio for reinsurance covering drone-attack risks reached 2800%. Ukraine's Arms Monitor
• 2026's El Nino is expected to prolong an already existing marine heat wave - currently in effect for reasons unrelated to El Nino - off the Southern California coast. Los Angeles Times
• The Middle East and Africa region is expected to maintain its strategic importance for high-end yacht logistics over the next few years due to the ongoing development of luxury marine destinations, with the United Arab Emirates and South Africa serving as primary hubs. Market Data Forecast

Last updated: 16 August 2026