This map was compiled from different international sources such as EMODnet, EEA or Marine Regions. Information obtained from these sources was cross-checked with data from national sources. While compilation was carried out by the European MSP Platform, validation and quality assurance remain the responsibility of the primary data sources.
Basic facts on Marine Waters
Maritime Spatial Plan(s)
Status: Adopted
The first Finnish maritime spatial plan was approved in December 2020.
Finland's MSP is available here (in English)
The Geographical Information System (GIS) for Finland's MSP is available here
The MSP was prepared in three parts covering both territorial waters and the EEZ.
- The Northern Bothnian Sea, Quark and Bothnian Bay drafted by the Regional Councils of Lapland, Oulu region, Central Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia.
View the Northern Bothnian Sea plan
- The Archipelago Sea and Southern Bothnian Sea drafted by the Regional Councils of Satakunta and Southwest Finland.
View the Archipelago Sea and Southern Bothnian Sea plan
- The Gulf of Finland drafted by the Regional Councils of Helsinki-Uusimaa and Kymenlaakso.
The autonomous territory of Åland Island has special status for planning its territorial waters. An MSP Plan for the Åland Island was developed according to its own maritime spatial planning legislation.
Information on Åland Island MSP is available here
Latest MSP developments
The MSP public authorities are currently elaborating studies on offshore wind energy development and planning the associated stakeholder involvement process.
In January-February 2024, the Boards of 8 Coastal Regional Councils have decided to start the revision of the Maritime Spatial Plan 2030 for Finland. The Plan will be updated by 2027. Finland has developed the Maritime Spatial Planning Interaction Plan 2024-2027 for the engagement of all stakeholders in the MSP process.
For more information please click here
MSP legislation
The Maritime Spatial Planning Directive was transposed into Finnish law in 2016. MSP regulations are covered by the Land Use and Building Act, which is the most important act to steer land-use, spatial planning and construction. Nonetheless, maritime spatial planning is not part of the land-use planning system or land use plan hierarchy of Finland. Maritime spatial plans are strategic and general, non-binding plans that have indirect steering impacts.
The MSP of Åland Island was developed according to a seperate planning legislation - regulation iin chapter 5. 24a and 24b from the Water Act (1996:61).
National MSP authority
Finland's competent authority for MSP is the Finnish Ministry of the Environment
Contact:
Mari Pohja-Mykrä
Ministry of the Environment - Built Environment Department, Land Use Unit
Aleksanterinkatu 4-10, Helsinki
mari.pohja-mykra
gov.fi (mari[dot]pohja-mykra[at]gov[dot]fi)
tel. +358 295 250 005, +358 50 308 7304
For more information
For more information regarding the evolution of the MSP process in Finland please see the dedicated country profile below.