Highest Remuneration in EU's Blue Economy Sector Found in Energy, Shipbuilding, and Transportation Industries
In a recent study, the EU Blue Economy Observatory has shed light on the remuneration and attractiveness of jobs across seven blue economy sectors: Coastal tourism, Marine non-living resources, Marine living resources, Marine renewable energy, Maritime transport, Port activities, and Shipbuilding and repair [1].
The study reveals significant wage disparities between skilled and lower-skilled roles. Highly skilled jobs in sectors like marine renewable energy, shipbuilding, and certain port and maritime transport roles tend to offer wages well above the national average. On the other hand, lower-skilled, labor-intensive roles in coastal tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture often pay less than average compared to other economic sectors [1].
Interestingly, job safety does not seem to correlate with higher pay. Despite higher accident rates in sectors such as port activities, wages there generally align with the national average, indicating that job safety risks do not necessarily translate into wage premiums [1].
Another key finding is the prevalence of seasonal and workload variability in many blue economy jobs. Workers in these industries frequently work far below full capacity, affecting income and creating long-term labor-market uncertainty. Sectors like coastal tourism and fisheries are particularly affected by this [1].
Wage differences across EU countries also reflect national differences in cost of living, as well as internal practices regarding training, innovation, and hiring. This highlights the importance of both economic context and human capital policies [1].
The study underscores the divide between skilled, higher-paying blue economy occupations linked to technology and innovation, and more vulnerable, lower-paid roles often characterized by physical labour and seasonality. To bridge this gap, a more equitable hiring system is necessary, and coordinated policy efforts are needed to upskill local workforces [2].
To fill labor shortages and attract skilled talent to the blue economy, Europe needs targeted policies that focus on training, innovation, and working conditions. Examples of sectors with low pay include accommodation (coastal tourism) in Germany and the Netherlands, shellfish aquaculture in Belgium, and capture fisheries in Cyprus. On the other hand, marine renewables, shipbuilding, and certain port and maritime transport occupations have higher-than-average wages [2].
The EU Blue Economy Observatory's dashboard provides valuable information on the remuneration and attractiveness of blue economy sectors, which can guide policy-making towards creating a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready blue economy employment sector [1].
References: [1] EU Blue Economy Observatory. (2021). Remuneration and attractiveness of EU blue economy sectors. Retrieved from https://blueeconomyobservatory.eu/ [2] European Commission. (2021). Blue Economy: A Strategic Approach for the EU. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/blue-economy_en
- The study shows that although certain blue economy sectors like marine renewable energy, shipbuilding, and specific port and maritime transport roles provide higher wages, sectors such as coastal tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture often have lower pay for workers.
- Remarkably, job safety in riskier sectors like port activities, surprisingly, generally aligns with the national average wage, indicating that wage premiums are not necessarily connected to job safety risks.
- The findings reveal a prominent issue of workload variability and seasonality in blue economy jobs, which frequently lead to workers working below full capacity, negatively impacting income and causing long-term labor-market uncertainty.
- The study underscores the need for a more equitable hiring system and coordinated policy efforts aimed at upskilling local workforces in order to bridge the gap between high-paying, technology-driven blue economy occupations, and lower-paid roles characterized by physical labor and seasonality.
