Not all maritime powers are measured by fleets or GDP. Across the globe, a growing number of developing economies are stepping into maritime trade with ambition, resilience, and regional leadership. Their strength lies not in scale, but in potential – in ports being modernized, in logistics being digitized, and in youth being trained to crew the future.
These economies are not waiting to catch up – they are building new models, often more agile, local, and sustainable.
Many countries in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Eastern Mediterranean are actively strengthening their maritime sectors – from port upgrades to ship registry reforms and education.
Some examples include:
• Vietnam and the Philippines – Developing strong regional fleets and shipbuilding capacity. The Philippines also leads in supplying global seafarers.
• Indonesia – A vast archipelago investing in inter-island shipping and modernizing its national maritime strategy.
• India – A blend of developed and developing dynamics, with expanding port networks, training institutes, and shipyards.
• Turkey and Egypt – Growing hubs with key transit corridors (Bosphorus, Suez Canal), strategic location, and policy investment.
• Morocco and Nigeria – Pushing for maritime cluster development, better logistics, and stronger blue economy strategies.
• Brazil – A Latin American anchor for bulk trade, offshore energy, and coastal logistics.
• Kenya and Ghana – Developing port infrastructure, customs digitalization, and regional trade corridors.
These nations may not dominate fleet statistics, but they are laying foundations for long-term impact.
• Geography – Many are located on or near major sea lanes or resource-rich coasts.
• Demographics – Young, growing populations that can be trained into maritime careers.
• Investment – Many are receiving infrastructure support from regional banks, international partners, and public-private projects.
• Policy Momentum – Strategic plans, national maritime academies, and blue economy frameworks are gaining traction.
They are also more open to green innovation, leapfrogging old systems, and rethinking traditional port models.
• Limited access to finance and maritime insurance
• Inconsistent regulatory environments
• Port inefficiencies, corruption, or slow customs clearance
• Gaps in maritime education, training, and safety standards
• Difficulty competing with established global players
But these challenges are not fixed – they are transitional. Many of these economies are building not just for today’s trade – but for a future ocean economy, more regional, inclusive, and technologically connected.
What kind of support or collaboration do developing maritime economies need most – and how might their growth change the global trade map in the next 10–20 years?
