شهرام ایرانی

Background and Theoretical foundation: The size of the world's maritime economy (ocean goods and services) reached a record $2.2 trillion in 2023. Iran's share of this large economy is about one percent, including offshore oil and gas activities, between two and two-seven percent. With 310,000 square kilometers of maritime area and about 5,300 kilometers of coastline, which constitutes about 30 percent of the country's borders, Iran is considered a maritime country and has access to the sea from the north and south, but it ranks last in the world in terms of exploiting this God-given blessing. Methodology: This research has studied the necessities and solutions for seaborne development in the Islamic Republic of Iran and a comparative study of the situation of some Asian countries using a descriptive-analytical method. Findings:  According to statistics from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and according to statistics from the Ocean Economy, it will be a business with a population of 3 billion and a value of over $6 trillion in 2024. Therefore, Iran needs to take fundamental steps to create an ocean economy structure. Conclusion: The ocean economy is worth between $3 and $6 trillion and offers huge opportunities for developing countries to build resilience. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says in its latest report, “Trade and Environment Review 2023,” that ocean-related businesses support the livelihoods of nearly 3 billion people. The share of the sea in the gross domestic product in the coastal countries of the European Union is 50 percent, but in Iran, despite its nearly 3,000 kilometers of coastline, this figure is only 2 percent. Therefore, Iran can institutionalize the basis for sea-based economic development by investing in its southern coasts, especially the Makran coast.