What do we know about blue economy in Serbia

Although Serbia is a landlocked country, it participates in the European and regional Blue Economy through its inland waterways (national and international), freshwater resources, and related sectors. The Danube and Sava rivers, along with hydropower, fisheries, and river tourism, represent Serbia’s primary sectors within this growing economic field. The EU’s emphasis on sustainable development, digital transformation, and environmental protection makes the Blue Economy a relevant framework for Serbia’s green transition and regional integration within the Adriatic–Ionian macro-region.

Blue Economy sectors in Serbia

The Blue Economy in Serbia plays a strategic role in energy security, transport, tourism, and food production. The main branches and sectors are:

Hydropower capacity: About 41% of Serbia’s electricity is generated from hydropower, making it the most important source of energy after lignite. Modernization of older plants and expansion into small hydropower plants and pumped-storage hydropower plants could further strengthen the role of water resources in electricity generation.

International navigation: Freight traffic on the Danube has doubled since 2019, reaching over 17 million tons annually. This growth confirms Serbia’s significance as a logistical corridor between Central Europe and the Black Sea.

Tourism: River cruises are booming, with 183,000 cruise passengers recorded in 2023 (35% more than in 2022), reaching pre-pandemic levels. River tourism is linked with hospitality, cultural services, and the economy of towns along the Danube.

Fisheries potential: Despite 150,000 hectares suitable for fish farming, fisheries contribute a negligible 0.016% to GDP. This highlights a large untapped potential for sustainable food production and export diversification.

Although these sectors represent a modest share of GDP, they have strategic significance for Serbia’s energy security, connectivity, and regional cooperation with neighboring countries and the European Union as a whole.

New technologies

Innovation in Serbia’s Blue Economy is primarily driven by universities, research institutes, and pilot initiatives. Notable examples include:

• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): Advanced fish farming in closed-loop systems that reduce water consumption and environmental impact.
• HACCP protocols in aquaculture: Strengthening food safety and traceability for domestic and export markets.
• GIS and LIDAR technologies: Applied for riverbed mapping, spatial planning, and environmental monitoring.
• Electric-powered tourist boats: Already introduced on sensitive inland waters, eliminating emissions and expanding eco-tourism.
• AI-based irrigation and water management systems (AQUA.I., Smart Watering): Increasing efficiency in agriculture and supporting climate change adaptation.
• AI-powered inland navigation platforms (MondoNav): Improving safety, logistics, and efficiency on Serbia’s waterways.
• Flood resilience technologies (ARTIFACT project): Using artificial intelligence and nature-based solutions for flood prediction in cities and disaster preparedness.
  
  These innovations signal Serbia’s capacity to leverage new technologies for modernizing traditional sectors, improving sustainability, and aligning with European innovation developments.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite progress, several structural challenges remain:

Institutional shortcomings: Weak coordination, absence of national Blue Economy strategies, and fragmented governance hinder development.

Financial constraints: Limited access to local and international financing prevents pilot projects from scaling into market-ready solutions.

Skills gap: Emigration and outdated vocational education programs reduce the availability of qualified workers in fisheries, navigation, and shipbuilding.

Environmental pressures: Pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change (droughts, floods) threaten long-term sustainability.

At the same time, there are significant opportunities in cross-border cooperation (e.g., Danube and Sava basin management), alignment with EU funds, and private sector engagement in fisheries, eco-tourism, and smart technologies.

The way forward

For Serbia, the Blue Economy does not relate to marine resources, but to maximizing the value of rivers, lakes, and freshwater ecosystems. It is strategically important for energy production, transport connectivity, and sustainable tourism, while holding vast untapped potential in fisheries and water management. New technologies—from AI-supported irrigation to eco-tourism innovations—show how Serbia can move toward a greener and more competitive economy.

To unlock this potential, Serbia must overcome institutional and financial barriers, strengthen vocational education, and integrate Blue Economy priorities into national strategies. This would not only enhance economic resilience but also position Serbia as a credible partner within the broader Adriatic–Ionian Blue Economy framework.