The Weser-Ems region is a region in northern Germany that has traditionally been strongly shaped by the maritime economy. It is home to a significant and extremely important part of Germany’s maritime economy. The maritime economy includes, in particular, shipping companies, ports, the shipbuilding industry, maritime services, and offshore wind energy. However, the maritime economy also includes research, educational, and networking institutions that focus on the maritime sector.

The regional significance of the maritime economy is not immediately apparent from official statistics, as it does not constitute a separate economic sector in these figures; rather, its key players are spread across various economic sectors. Furthermore, the significance of the maritime economy in the Weser-Ems region extends well beyond the region and the sector itself, as it is closely linked to other economic sectors and provides the necessary infrastructure and services that make trade between Germany and the rest of the world possible in the first place. This study illustrates this point using data from a wide variety of sources.