Shipping and Maritime Spatial Planning in the North Sea
Shipping is a traditional and transnational user of marine space. Ships are generally entitled to free navigation (with the exception of traffic separating schemes prescribed by the IMO). However, shipping routes still need to be taken into account in Martime Spatial Plans in order to ensure that these routes are kept free from other conflicting uses, such off-shore windfarms. Also new shipping trends, be it new harbours or industry trends, might demand certain space in the sea. Also these issues need to be included into the plan to make sure developments in the future will not be limited by other uses.Click on the following links to explore what the NorthSEE project partners found out. The entire report (PDF including annexes and sources) can be found in the Project Downloads section
Planning criteria (download .docx version here)
