Global Maritime Trends 2050

‘Global Maritime Trends 2050’ is the first step in this longer-term programme. The report analyses likely future scenarios for maritime in 2050, based on the speed of technology adoption and the level of global collaboration, to help the industry forecast risks, opportunities, and required investment. 

Authored by Economist Impact, the report involved an extensive literature review and 16 qualitative interviews with maritime policy and industry professionals.  

This led to four feasible shipping futures that present both warnings and opportunities for the sector including fictional ‘what if’ scenarios such as the opportunities widespread adoption of hydrogen could bring, or the potential critical challenges posed by a 40cm sea-level rise.

• Key global ports in US, Europe and Asia could be unusable by 2050 without urgent action on decarbonisation. 
• Africa countries could become the dominant supplier of seafarers by 2050. 
• Women could make up 25% of all seafarers by 2050 (currently <2%) 

Beyond the figures and forecasts, this report reinforces the fact that people matter. We must continue to place the wellbeing of our two million seafarers, and all those involved in the maritime value chain, at the heart of our strategies and actions. Their unwavering commitment has been the bedrock of our industry, and as we navigate the waters towards 2050, ensuring their safety, rights, and growth is non-negotiable. 

The report and the wider programme serve not just as a source of information but as a compass for stakeholders, guiding decision-making processes in an era characterised by rapid societal shifts.

If you wish to use and reference Global Maritime Trends 2050, please include the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.60743/xrta-z334.

Example Citation in Harvard Style:

Lloyd's Register Foundation and Economist Impact (2023) Global Maritime Trends 2050. Lloyd's Register Foundation. doi: 10.60743/XRTA-Z334.