The pattern evolution and spatial heterogeneity of green development level of China’s marine economy

With the promotion of marine power strategies and marine ecological civilization construction, marine green development has become an important issue. This study utilizes the mixed distance function Epsilon-based measure and the global Malmquist–Luenberger index model, which accommodates both radial and non-radial models, to evaluate the marine green total factor productivity (GTFP) across 11 coastal regions of China. The findings of this study are as follows. First, the marine GTFP showed a gradual increase in China’s coastal regions during the study period, with notable differences observed among the three primary marine economic circles. Second, technological advancement was the primary driver of the transformation of marine GTFP. Third, the distribution across the space pattern of marine GTFP tended to be concentrated continuously, which shows that the overall spatial distribution pattern of marine GTFP remained relatively stable. Fourth, there is no obvious σ convergence in a northern, eastern marine economic circle. Both absolute and conditional β convergence exists, indicating that the marine GTFP converged to their respective steady-state levels during the study period. This study can provide decision-making reference for accelerating the green growth and sustainable development of China’s marine economy.