Spanish Cities Gijón and Cartagena Advance Blue Economy Initiatives to Boost Maritime Development
Gijón and Cartagena have launched key initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the blue economy, emphasizing maritime potential and sustainable development.
- • Cartagena hosted 'Impulsando la Economía Azul' event focusing on innovation and sustainable maritime development.
- • Collaboration agreement signed with the Naval and Maritime Technology Center to boost entrepreneurship in Cartagena.
- • Gijón held its third Blue Economy Think Tank meeting to foster synergies across sectors and promote the 'Gijón Azul' brand.
- • Regional R&D investment in Cartagena's maritime sector reached 470 million euros last year.
Key details
On December 10 and 11, 2025, the Spanish cities of Cartagena and Gijón held significant events focused on promoting the blue economy, aiming to leverage their maritime potential through innovation, entrepreneurship, and research.
In Cartagena, the event 'Impulsando la Economía Azul: Innovación, Territorio y Medio Marino,' organized by the COEC, brought together key stakeholders including city councilors Diego Salinas and Álvaro Valdés, COEC president Ana Correa, and INFO director Joaquín Gómez. Valdés highlighted Cartagena’s maritime potential and announced a collaboration agreement with the Naval and Maritime Technology Center to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the sector. Correa emphasized the blue economy’s broad scope, extending beyond tourism to infrastructure, renewable energy, and aquaculture. Gómez underscored the region’s investment in research and development (R&D), which reached 470 million euros in the previous year, illustrating growing opportunities in maritime-related economic activities.
Meanwhile, in Gijón, the third meeting of the Blue Economy Think Tank brought together diverse participants from education, research, businesses, public institutions, and maritime sectors. Vicealcaldesa Ángela Pumariega stressed the diversity of the blue ecosystem as its greatest strength and showcased the city’s ambition to become a national and international reference in the blue economy. The 'Gijón Azul' brand was highlighted as a crucial initiative to enhance the city's profile. The event featured presentations on upcoming projects and was attended by maritime fisheries General Director Francisco González.
Together, these initiatives reflect a coordinated effort by Spanish coastal cities to harness marine resources sustainably, drive economic growth, enhance innovation, and position themselves as leaders in the blue economy arena.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
