Much of the innovation economy focuses on land, but growing attention is turning toward the sea.
Oceans play a central role in climate regulation, food systems, transport and renewable energy. As pressure on these systems increases, marine innovation is expanding rapidly.
New technologies include offshore wind infrastructure, autonomous underwater vehicles, precision fisheries management and large-scale seaweed cultivation.
Supporters say these developments could create jobs while helping decarbonise energy and improve food resilience.
The concept is often described as the blue economy: economic activity linked to ocean resources used more sustainably.
However, innovation at sea also brings risks. Poorly managed expansion can damage ecosystems, displace coastal communities or create new forms of extraction.
Experts argue that ocean technology must be guided by strong governance as well as investment.
In that sense, the next major frontier of innovation may lie not only in cities or laboratories, but across the world’s waters.
