Facts & figures

Our seas, oceans and inland waterways are of huge importance in terms of resources, the environment and conservation, trade and industry, marine sciences and leisure activity.

A £56 billion sector

The UK maritime sector directly employs over 410,000 people (and at least that many indirectly). It is a £56 billion turnover sector, bigger than automotive and more than double the size of aerospace and agriculture combined – it is the largest maritime sector in Europe.

Primary Sources

Oxford Economics, Crown Estates, Douglas-Westwood Associates, British Marine Federation

This comprehensive assessment and definition of the maritime sector, has been produced in conjunction with, and with the agreement of, all the principal organisations involved in researching the broad range of industries and activities which make up the sector.

The data has been collated from a variety of sources, including published reports on aspects of the maritime economy and sector-specific information.* Where estimations have been made, these have the endorsement of the respective professional body.

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