Acta Aquatica: Aquatic Sciences Journal
Acta Aquatica, Vol. 13: No. 1 (April, 2026)

The global shipbuilding war: An in-depth analysis of the technological upgrading and competitive strategies of Major Global Regional Blocs

Sanusi Mohammed Sadiq (Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria)
Invinder Paul Singh (Department of Agricultural Economics, SKRAU, Bikaner, India)
Muhammad Makarfi Ahmad (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, BUK, Kano, Nigeria)
Bashir Sanyinna Sani (PhD Scholar,Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, FUD, Dutse, Nigeria)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive, longitudinal analysis of ocean goods trade dynamics for BRICS, the European Union (EU), G-20, G-77, and the OECD from 2012 to 2023. Utilizing data from UNCTAD, the research employs a tripartite analytical framework, examining Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Trade Openness, and Trade Intensity indices across five key sectors: Marine Fisheries, Seafood Processing, Sea Minerals, Ships & Port Equipment, and High-Technology Manufactures. A critical methodological innovation involves adjusting nominal values for inflation to derive real-term trade metrics, revealing more accurate growth trajectories. The results unveil a complex, multi-polar ocean economy with distinct bloc specializations. BRICS demonstrates a robust and rising comparative advantage in shipbuilding, positioning it as a specialized industrializer, though its overall trade openness has declined in real terms. The synthesis of these findings leads to a novel typology of regional blocs within the global ocean economy. The discussion underscores the strategic implications of these divergent pathways, emphasizing the need for policies that align economic competitiveness with the principles of the sustainable Blue Economy. This study concludes that understanding these comparative dynamics is essential for crafting effective trade, industrial, and environmental policies aimed at fostering equitable and sustainable growth within the global ocean commons. Keywords: Blue Economy, Development; Economic Blocs; Sustainability; Supply Chain

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

acta-aquatica

Publisher

Subject

Materials Science & Nanotechnology Other

Description

Acta Aquatica: Aquatic Sciences Journal is a scientific open access journal in the field of aquatic sciences, published periodically (April and October) by the Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM) Universitas Malikussaleh (Malikussaleh University) in cooperation with Marine Center ...