Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a fundamental tool for the development of a Sustainable Blue Economy. It allows us to manage the use of our seas and oceans in a long term, inclusive and innovative way, to reduce conflicts, create synergies between human activities and ensure they take place in an efficient and safe way, within the capacity of the receiving ecosystems. Explore our infographic to find out facts, figures and what are the next steps.

After a decade in the making, France recently inaugurated its first offshore wind farm on its Atlantic shores. The Saint Nazaire offshore wind farm is expected to provide 20% of electricity demand of the 1.4M inhabitants of Département Loire-Atlantique.

Germany’s draft Wind Energy at Sea Act (WindSeeG) has been amended to include measures to accelerate the market’s development. The measures include the new expansion targets, the prioritising of offshore wind energy in maritime spatial planning, short-term tendering of additional areas and reorganisation of responsibilities in authorities and ministries.

WindEurope's annual on- and offshore wind energy event

The 2021 Turkish coordination of the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea is organising a regional webinar on “Greening the Maritime Transport and Preparedness for Marine Pollution Prevention in the Black Sea Region” on November 11, 2021 (14.15 GMT+3). The event pursues the CMA goals and intends to support the definition of pathways for a green transformation of the maritime transport in the Black Sea by discussing green shipping technologies and R&D initiatives and exploring financing instruments for innovations towards green and sustainable shipping. It is also aimed at sharing knowledge and strengthening cooperation between the littoral countries of the Black Sea particularly on the prevention of pollution and preparedness for a common response in pollution in the Black Sea region.

The expansion of offshore wind farms (OWFs) will in certain places lead to increased coexistence and the potential for multiple uses of space available for fishing and aquaculture activities, or to potential conflicts and restrictions for some fishing activities. This study provides an overview of the state of knowledge on the existing and potential future effects of OWFs on fisheries and aquaculture.