Our planet is rightly called the “Blue Planet” as 71 per cent of it is covered with water. Thus, the economy related to the marine environment is called the “Blue Economy”. It is immensely important for almost all segments of human life but has not received the attention and importance that it deserves. However, the realization of its importance is increasing with time. This book is an attempt to describe various elements of Blue Economy and is divided into 14 chapters for ease of understanding. It starts by explaining Blue Economy and geography of oceans and seas, highlights the importance of oceans for mankind, then discusses seaborne trade and related globalization, waterways, inland waterways, ships, their types, shipbuilding, ports, fishing, seabed resources, marine and coastal tourism, law of the seas including IMO, the importance of CPEC, and marine spatial planning.

About the Author

V/Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Rao (Retd) has more than 40 years of rich maritime experience. He has served as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) and Commander Coast and is a keen enthusiast of the maritime economy due to its tremendous potential in Pakistan. He has been a member of Gwadar Port Implementation Committee at the start of the port project and actively contributed to its development. As the Managing Director of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works for five years, he is credited with its financial and commercial turnaround. He remained an advisor to the Ministry of Defence Production for the development of shipbuilding industry for many years. He is the brains behind the conception of shipbuilding industry vision and plan for Pakistan, which has been approved by the prime minister. He is a strong proponent of creating maritime awareness due to its ever-increasing potential for Pakistan’s Blue Economy. He has been an advisor to Royal Saudi Naval Forces as well. Iftikhar Rao is a regular guest speaker at the National School of Public Policy, National Defence University, Staff Colleges and seminars on various maritime subjects.