The Blue Economy

The blue economy represents a thematic investment opportunity aimed at sustainable ocean management, supported by growth in water infrastructure, recycling, and clean energy. UBS outlines the structural drivers and key sectors poised to benefit as global regulatory momentum accelerates.

Key Takeaways

• 1.The sustainable blue economy is projected to grow to over USD 3.2 trillion by 2030, driven by new regulatory frameworks and the necessity of preserving marine ecosystems.
• 2.Investment opportunities exist in water treatment infrastructure, shipping pollution controls, advanced recycling technologies, sustainable aquaculture, and offshore renewable energy.
• 3.The UN High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), which entered into force in January 2026, marks a major inflection point for oceanic conservation policy and institutional capital deployment.

Table of Contents

• The blue economy
• The Longer Term Investments (LTI)
• Shifting profit pools
• Why now
• Targeting SDG 14 holistically
• Blue economy as a Longer Term Investment
• Water treatment, shipping, and waste management
• Water treatment
• Shipping
• Waste management and recycling
• Advanced recycling as an alternative to the traditional plastic recycling
• Challenges: Significant investment in capacity and infrastructure is required
• Investment conclusion: Wastewater treatment, waste management and recycling
• Blue Biotechnology
• Marine enzyme applications
• Fertilisers and biostimulants from marine biomass
• Bioplastics and biomaterials from marine resources
• Investment conclusion
• Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries
• Traditional aquaculture sustainable?
• Blue Renewable Energy
• Offshore wind
• Tidal energy
• Wave energy
• Investment positioning
• Risk section

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