From Shoreline to Skyline: Peter Robbins on the Rise of the Floating Economy

When you think of the future, do you picture space—or water? In this eye-opening episode, Jackie De Burca speaks with Peter Robbins, one of the world’s leading voices on the floating economy. From delivering fresh meals via jet skis to developing mega-scale coastal innovation projects in Korea and the US, Peter is building a blueprint for what he calls the next “mega-trend”: the floating economy. More than a futuristic fantasy, this is a global movement gaining momentum across industries like logistics, hospitality, port infrastructure, energy, and even education. Learn how floating solutions are solving everything from workforce shortages to population crises, and how ports are being reimagined as launchpads—not limits. Whether you're a policymaker, investor, engineer or just curious about where cities are headed, this episode dives deep into the possibilities of our water-bound future. “We’re not just building floating solutions. We’re building the workforce, the policy awareness, and the investment appetite to support a floating future.” Peter Robbins   What You Will Learn In This Episode The distinction between the floating economy and the blue/ocean economy Why nearshore logistics could transform coastal commerce How floating housing could solve affordability and flood resilience Case studies: Busan, Rotterdam, Brisbane, and beyond The urgent need to build a water-based workforce—starting in schools How the private sector, governments, and NGOs can work together to scale floating infrastructure