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MSP and stakeholder engagement in the Nordic Region

Understanding MSP across the Nordic countries is essential for understanding how offshore wind development and other marine uses are coordinated and how stakeholder engagement is managed through different governance frameworks. The Nordic countries exhibit diverse approaches in terms of legal status, oversight, scope and participatory processes, reflecting their varying institutional traditions, political priorities and maritime contexts.

Denmark has a single, legally binding maritime spatial plan covering its entire marine territory, adopted under the Maritime Spatial Planning Act, which transposes the EU MSP Directive into Danish law. The plan, accessible via a digital Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, was ratified in 2021, with amendments in 2023 to increase the offshore energy and biodiversity targets. The Danish Maritime Authority, under the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, oversees development, implementation and revision. The plan covers internal waters, territorial sea areas and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), totalling some 105,000 km². Stakeholders included coastal municipalities, national ministries, universities and business and interest organisations, with a public consultation conducted from November 2023 to February 2024.

Danish Maritime Authority (n.d.)

Sweden has three marine spatial plans covering the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea and the Skagerrak/Kattegat, aligned with the EU MSP Directive. Plans were adopted in 2022 and amended in 2024 to accommodate additional offshore energy development totalling 90 terawatts. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management oversees the plans, which are formally adopted by the government. Coastal County Administrative Boards provide regional data and support stakeholder engagement, while municipalities manage territorial sea planning. Stakeholders – including industry, NGOs, research institutions and local authorities – contributed through reference groups, thematic working groups and public consultations.

Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (2023b)

Finland has three regional, non-binding marine spatial plans for the Bothnian Sea, the Quark and Bothnian Bay, governed by the Land Use and Building Act and aligned with the EU MSP Directive. Adopted in 2020, the plans are overseen by the Ministry of the Environment, with eight coastal Regional Councils responsible for drafting and approving them. A national coordination group ensures coherence and stakeholder participation. The plans cover Finland’s territorial waters and EEZ. During the first planning cycle (2017–2021), around 350–380 stakeholders participated through scenario and vision workshops. The second cycle (2024–2028) is guided by the Maritime Spatial Planning Interaction Plan 2024–2027, aiming to ensure comprehensive, fair and timely participation.

Ministry of the Environment of Finland (n.d.)

Norway employs Integrated Ocean Management Plans for the Barents Sea–Lofoten area, the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea–Skagerrak, which are endorsed by Parliament to guide sectoral authorities. The initial plans were developed in 2006–2013, with a comprehensive update in 2020 and revision in 2024. The Ministry of Climate and Environment oversee the plans, supported by an inter-ministerial steering group. Covering 1.79 million km², the plans address petroleum, fisheries, maritime transport, environmental protection, renewable energy and defence. Stakeholders – including industry associations, labour organisations, environmental NGOs, local communities and academics – engage through hearings, meetings and written submissions.

Ministry of Climate and Environment of Norway (2020)

Åland has a single non-legally binding maritime spatial plan for public waters, aligned with the EU Directive. Adopted in 2021, it was developed in collaboration with municipalities, regional authorities and relevant external authorities. Two public consultations and a politically appointed reference group informed its revision.

overnment of Åland (n.d.)

Iceland established the Act on Coastal and Marine Planning in 2018, initiating coastal zone planning in the Westfjords, Eastfjords and Skjalfandi Bay. Plans focus on aquaculture, shipping, marine traffic, fisheries and nature protection.

Government of Iceland (n.d.)

The Faroe Islands and Greenland currently have no marine or maritime spatial planning frameworks.