UNCTAD Highlights Sustainable Ocean Economy: New Tariffs & Aquaculture Trends

UNCTAD Highlights Sustainable Ocean Economy: New Tariffs & Aquaculture Trends

A crucial and comprehensive report released today by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), titled “Global Trade Update (June 2025): Sustainable Ocean Economy,” sheds significant light on the immense economic potential and the growing challenges within the global ocean economy. This sector is a vital and often underestimated component of global B2B trade. The report robustly notes that ocean trade has surged to an impressive over $2.2 trillion annually, with a substantial portion of this growth driven primarily by services related to maritime activities, and it directly supports over 100 million jobs globally, underpinning livelihoods and economies worldwide.

Key takeaways from this detailed report for B2B stakeholders across various industries include:

• Ocean Trade Growth: Between 1995 and 2020, the ocean economy experienced remarkable growth, expanding 2.5 times. This growth significantly outpaced the 1.9-fold growth of the overall global economy during the same period, unequivocally indicating its increasing strategic importance and rising prominence in international trade and economic development.
• Tariff Threats to Fisheries: The report specifically highlights that new United States tariffs on fisheries imports are posing significant economic challenges for numerous countries heavily dependent on the US market for their seafood exports. While Mexico and Canada can export duty-free under the USMCA if strict rules of origin are met, other nations face the burden of these new duties (e.g., the EU at 10%, and China at 30% as of May 14, 2025, with potential for even higher if threatened tariffs are implemented). This situation vividly illustrates the ongoing volatility and unpredictable nature of trade policy, which can quickly impact specific sectors and reshape global supply chains for even seemingly distant industries.

• Aquaculture’s Rise: A major and transformative shift is underway in global seafood production, driven by increasing demand and the critical issue of overfished wild stocks. The report details a significant pivot from traditional wild capture fisheries to controlled aquaculture. Since the 1990s, global wild capture production has largely remained steady, while aquaculture has surged dramatically from 22 million tonnes to an astounding 94 million tonnes in 2022. This exponential growth signals a substantial and expanding B2B opportunity in cultivated seafood, as well as in related support industries such as specialized feed production, processing equipment, and sustainable farming technologies.
• Blue Finance Gap: Despite its enormous economic and environmental potential, the report points out a concerning “Blue Finance Gap.” Ocean-related aid and investment reached only $2.4 billion in 2022, a figure that is far below the estimated $2.8 trillion “Blue Deal” needed globally. This ambitious “Blue Deal” is essential for achieving sustainable ocean management, accelerating the decarbonization of the vital shipping industry, and building resilient marine infrastructure capable of withstanding climate change impacts. This disparity highlights a significant and emerging investment opportunity for B2B players willing to engage in green maritime technologies, sustainable aquaculture ventures, and broader sustainable development projects that contribute to a healthier ocean.

For a company like Shiv’s Assets Group, while not directly involved in fisheries or maritime transport in terms of ownership, the report’s overarching insights on tariffs and the global shift towards sustainability are highly relevant. The volatility caused by new tariffs on various goods, as seen with fisheries, underscores the unpredictable nature of trade policies which can quickly impact other sectors by redirecting trade flows or increasing logistics costs. Furthermore, the report’s strong emphasis on building a “Sustainable Ocean Economy” highlights the growing demand and regulatory push for environmentally responsible practices across all sectors, including the sourcing and transportation of building materials. As global supply chains become more interconnected and environmentally conscious, understanding the broader sustainability initiatives and their potential impact on shipping costs, compliance regulations, and consumer preferences for your AAC Fly Ash Blocks and Fly Ash exports is increasingly important. This report encourages all B2B players to consider their role in fostering a more sustainable global trade ecosystem.

Source: UNCTAD Official Report / International Trade Organizations