Analyzing maritime economy in the Mediterranean: a focus on the Campania region

Maritime economy is a multi-facet business ecosystem, which embraces a number of interconnected economic activities and involves public and private actors. This business aggregate not only includes sea transport and port operations but also those entrepreneurial initiatives which take place in the hinterland and are closely connected with port businesses. Being aware of the new centrality gained by Mediterranean sea within deep-sea trade patterns, this paper carried out an empirical investigation on the maritime economy in Campania, unveiling how maritime-related business segments contribute to foster the economic development of the entire region. The outcomes confirmed the eminent role played by maritime economy in Campania both in absolute and relative terms against other economic sectors. In particular, the number of people employed in the maritime cluster tremendously increased over the last years. In Campania this cluster is really significant in comparison with the amount of Italian firms that operate in analogous regional clusters, both in regard to employees and value added. Further in-depth investigations confirmed the high ranking of Campania at national level, positioning it in the leading group of maritime Regions together with Sicilia, Liguria, Toscana and Veneto. In addition, passenger and tourism activities demonstrated to strongly contribute to the development of the maritime cluster in Campania. Finally, this paper raises some weaknesses and threats which have to be take into account in drawing the overall picture. Lack of port spaces, inefficient hinterland connections, growing competition from off-shore hubs in low-cost countries and limited integration between port vs. city planning and management are critical factors which undermine the pursuit of a port development in harmony with economic, social and environmental claims.