Cantabria Charts Strategic Course to Boost Blue Economy and Maritime Sector
Cantabria advances a strategic regional plan to boost its blue economy, focusing on maritime growth, sustainability, and talent development.
- • Cantabria's maritime sector reached historic port traffic levels in 2024, aiming for seven million tons.
- • The goal is to attract 90,000 cruise passengers by 2030, enhancing cruise tourism and nautical activities.
- • MarCA urges a regional strategy with a clear agenda and budget to boost competitiveness.
- • Sustainability and skilled labor development through education-industry partnerships are critical for growth.
Key details
Cantabria is intensifying efforts to advance its blue economy through a comprehensive regional strategy, aiming to enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and talent development in the maritime sector. The Maritime Cluster of Cantabria (MarCA) hosted the second Blue Economy Day, assembling about twenty experts at the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria to discuss nautical activities, cruise growth, water sports, and workforce training.
Juan Luis Sánchez, MarCA president, underlined the necessity of a regional blue economy strategy with a clear project agenda and budget, highlighting Cantabria's maritime industry's milestone in 2024 with historic port traffic reaching nearly seven million tons. The region targets 90,000 cruise passengers by 2030 and sustained growth in sailing and water sports tourism. Sánchez emphasized the need for collaboration between education and industry to cultivate skilled labor, vital for maintaining and growing sector revenues.
Luis Martínez Abad, Cantabria’s tourism minister, stressed the crucial role of sustainability and talent retention, advocating for adopting dual training programs and strategic partnerships to ensure the sector’s balanced and responsible expansion. Both leaders agreed that the blue economy offers vast opportunities requiring common commitment and action to harness the sea’s potential responsibly and sustainably for the region’s economic prosperity.
The Blue Economy Day also honored Cantabrian athlete Vinicius dos Santos, recognized for his record-breaking surfing, symbolizing the maritime sector's blend of economic and cultural vitality in Cantabria.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.