Assessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the financial and economic structure performance of Turkish sea freight transport sector.

The impact of Covid-19 on the global economy's functioning and the long-term growth of supply chains was first reported in Türkiye in March 2020. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on the financial and economic structure performance of Turkish sea freight transport sector, as well as how the sector has adapted to the new reality brought on by Covid-19. In this regard, the consolidated financial statements of 997 companies for the year 2020 were studied using ratio analysis, and the results were compared to the financial outputs of the 2008 global financial crisis and the European sovereign dept crisis. As a result of the study, it was determined that the sector's response to crises in different time periods varied. In order to avoid debt default during the pandemic, the capital structure restricted short-term resources while increasing long-term resources. Despite the pandemic conditions, it has been noticed that there are no barriers to accessing money market instruments in the sector, that the working capital structure has been enhanced, and that a balanced financing plan has been established to ensure the continuity of cash flows. This is the first study that analyses the sector as a whole, reveals the financial and economic repercussions of the pandemic on the sector, and compares these effects to those of recent financial crises. In addition, authorities of the maritime transport industry in other countries will find this helpful research for conducting comparative analyses, and the findings can be generalised.

A review of the blue economy, potential, and opportunities in seven Caribbean nations pre-COVID-19

Caribbean countries face many challenges to effectively implement and benefit from the blue economy. This study synthesized current available information from the literature about the main blue economy activities in the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, to highlight their value in the context of blue economic recovery. This timestamp of data provides a point of comparison to understand the vulnerability of blue economy sectors to external shocks. The top performing sectors prior to the pandemic were shipping and tourism, both of which were significant contributors to the GDP. The other sectors (e.g. fisheries, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, etc.) in some countries were well established and in others, at a minimum, displayed potential for continued development. To valorize the blue economy in a post pandemic recovery, there are three core areas of opportunity: sustainable resource extraction and production;cultivated economic development;and improved ecosystem economic valuations. Harnessing these opportunities will require a transition from a traditional ocean economy towards a coordinated blue economy, including the adoption of effective governance and sustainability principles, improved social, economic, and environmental valuations, and sustainable financing, as well as a more regional coordinated approach to the management of resources.

Financial and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on aquaculture in Türkiye and financial policy recommendations.

The public health measures implemented to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have had unexpected consequences in a wide range of industries worldwide including aquaculture. The first case of COVID-19 was also reported in March 2020 in Türkiye. The present study aims to determine the financial and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aquaculture in Türkiye by analyzing consolidated financial statements of the industry released by Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye in September 2021. Within this context, the consolidated financial statements of 2020 were examined using ratio analysis, followed by a comparison of the ratios from 2009 to 2020. As a result of the study, it was determined that the Turkish aquaculture sector continued to grow, the net profit margin improving considerably by 871 % in 2020 compared to the previous year, and the year 2020 achieving the highest profitability performances in the recent 12-year period, despite the severe effects of the pandemic on several industries globally. However, the sector's high financial leverage, inability to produce sufficient revenue to pay its debts, and reliance on foreign manufacturing costs are all concerns that must be managed to maintain economic and financial sustainability. Considering these results, some policy practices related to financial stability are advised so that aquaculture stakeholders can have a stronger financial and economic structure in the face of random shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic.