Source: European Union 2 Published on: 2026-06-05
This week more than 290 policymakers, researchers, maritime experts and stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the second EU Maritime Spatial Planning Week. Through more than 15 sessions, the week provided a platform to exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation across sea basins.
Discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities linked to the growing use of maritime space, from renewable energy and fisheries to biodiversity protection and sustainable economic development.
The Greater North Sea Basin Initiative is in full swing
A key event was the first stakeholder conference of the Greater North Sea Basin Initiative (GNSBI), supported by CINEA under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. Bringing together representatives from governments, industry, research organisations and civil society, the conference explored practical ways to improve cooperation across the North Sea.
Participants discussed how different maritime activities can coexist while supporting both economic growth and environmental protection.
New research on fisheries in the North Sea and innovative tools, including a virtual climate laboratory, helped inform discussions on future planning needs.
Improving maritime spatial planning data
Better data for better planning at sea was another central theme of the week. The Technical Expert Group on Data for Maritime Spatial Planning (TEG) held a dedicated workshop to discuss progress in data sharing, interoperability and emerging technologies. The group also marked its sixth anniversary, reflecting on the exchange of expertise to further support maritime spatial planning across Europe.
Opening the workshop, Anja Detant, Project Adviser at CINEA, underlined the importance of the group’s work:
“From the Commission and CINEA perspective, the Technical Expert Group is a valuable interlocutor and ‘think tank’ for the work on maritime spatial planning.”
“From the Commission and CINEA perspective, the Technical Expert Group is a valuable interlocutor and ‘think tank’ for the work on maritime spatial planning.”
Participants explored how digital tools, artificial intelligence and improved data standards can support evidence-based decision-making. They also discussed how initiatives such as the Ocean Pact, with the newly launched Ocean observation initiative ‘OceanEye’, and the future Ocean Act, could further strengthen cooperation and data governance across Europe.
EU-funded Maritime spatial planning initiatives under the spotlight
European projects supported by EU funding also featured prominently throughout the week. The MEDIGREEN project hosted a workshop on sustainable maritime spatial planning in the Mediterranean. The project aims to reinforce the sea basin dimension of maritime spatial planning by strengthening the cross-border cooperation between EU member states, in line with the European Green Deal objectives, and enlarging the cooperation to non-EU countries.
Using a sector-based approach, partners have been discussing how EU Mediterranean countries integrate European Green Deal objectives in their maritime spatial plans.
The North European Sea Basin project (NESBp) presented practical experiences from cross-border cooperation and stakeholder engagement.
A joint workshop organised by MEDIGREEN and NESBp highlighted how collaboration between sea basins can help address common challenges. Participants exchanged experiences on stakeholder participation, ecosystem-based planning and the integration of environmental considerations into decision-making processes.
Furthermore, the EU4Ocean coalition brought ocean literacy in the debate to explore how it can support effective maritime spatial planning. They organised a panel combining expert and youth perspectives on sea planning, an interactive world café connecting early career and established professionals in the blue economy, and a youth-led “Meet a Blue Expert” session with the Atlantic and West Med maritime spatial planning focal point.
The week also provided an opportunity for projects to connect with the wider maritime community. Through workshops, networking sessions and exhibition stands, participants showcased innovative solutions and shared lessons learned from across Europe.
As Europe faces increasing demands on its maritime space, the discussions in Brussels demonstrated the value of cooperation, reliable data and shared knowledge. By bringing together experts and stakeholders from across the continent, the European Maritime Spatial Planning Week provided an excellent opportunity to advance discussions on the challenges and solutions for the sustainable use of Europe’s seas.