Introduction

• Author: CETMAR, COGEA, Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (European Commission), POSEIDON, Seascape Belgium, Universidade de Vigo
• Pages: 1-4

Study on the Economic Impact of MSP

1

Introduction

The blue economy can be a driver for Europe's w elfare and prosperity. The

Commission has undertaken a series of steps

1 to translate it into actions. Among

others, it has launched initiatives in many policy areas related to Europe's oceans,

seas and coasts, facilitating the cooperation between maritime business and public

authorities across borders and sectors, and stakeholders to ensure a sustainable

development of the maritime economy.

One of the challenges is that maritime space is in hi gh demand, and increasingly so.

On the other hand, it is well accepted that many e conomic and business decisions are

affected by geography and location. For example, spatial factors like the sea dept h or

distance to the electrical l and grid or between nodes can affect the viability of offshore

energy projects. In this regard, Maritime Spatial Planning can be a determining factor

for the development of maritime sectors. Conversely, decisions in Maritime Spatial

Planning have to take into account the spatial analysis of econom ic operators in

maritime sector and the blue economy in general.

The competing needs of renewabl e energy installations, oil an d gas, maritime shipping

and fishing, ecosystem and biodiversity conservation (Marine Protected Areas),

extraction of raw materials, tourism , aquaculture install ations and underwater cultural

heritage, as well as the multiple pressures on coastal resources by an increasing

population, call for an integrated planning and management approach.

From the very outset, the Commi ssion has initiated a number of successful facilitating

and 'enabling' actions such as Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). Successful

implementation of MSP can lead to more efficient administrative procedures, reduce

the bureaucratic barriers for i nvestment, cut 'red-tape’, and ma nage potential conflicts

between different maritime activities.

The MSP Directive adopted in 20142, accompanied by the EU-funding of cross- border

cooperation p rojects, has made cross-border ma ritime spatial planning and the

streamlining of permitting procedures for large projects a reali stic prospect for the first

time.

The Directive requires Member States to develop maritime spatial plans but leaves it

to their discretion how they should do so. It also requires them to cooperate across

borders. Member States had to transpose the Directive into their national legislation

and nominate a competent auth ority by September 20 16 and need to establish plans

by March 2021.

It is expected that towards 2021, Member States will be gradually advancing in their

implementation of the MSP Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning - 2014/89/EU.

Some Member States have already established national maritime spatial plans wi th

many making quick progress, while others need more guidance and information. All

could benefit from additional information on how MSP can help them deli ver

sustainable growth for their maritime economies.

The background of the study is to expand the limi ted information on economic benefits

and impacts of ma ritime spatial planning which was produced by the Impa ct

1 Report on the Blue Growth Strategy Towards more sustainable growth and jobs in the blue economy -

SWD(2017) 128 final

2 Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a

framework for maritime spatial planning: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-

content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32014L0089