A new study published by the European Commission presents an EU‑wide assessment of progress in implementing the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive across Member States, building on and updating the Commission’s 2022 assessment.
The study analyses how MSP is being developed and applied across Europe’s marine waters, with a particular focus on national planning practices, cross‑border cooperation, and coherence with land‑sea interactions. It provides an overview of where progress has been made and highlights areas where further efforts are needed to ensure that MSP effectively supports sustainable maritime activities and marine ecosystem protection.
Key aspects examined in the study include the maturity of national maritime spatial plans, the extent to which Member States are addressing cross‑border and sea‑basin specific challenges, and how MSP frameworks are adapting to emerging policy priorities, such as climate resilience, offshore renewable energy and ecosystem‑based management.
For the Atlantic Sea Basin, the findings are particularly relevant in the context of increasing competition for maritime space and the need for stronger coordination between countries sharing marine waters. The study underlines the continued importance of sea‑basin cooperation mechanisms, knowledge exchange, and strategic alignment to support coherent and efficient MSP implementation.
The results of this assessment will inform future policy discussions at EU and sea‑basin level and provide valuable input for Member States, stakeholders and coordination mechanisms working to strengthen maritime governance across Europe.