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 Netherlands adopted its first maritime spatial plan, the North Sea Policy Document in 2009.
The Netherlands' first MSP is available here (in English)
The second spatial plan, the North Sea Policy Document covering the period 2016-2021, and adopted in December 2015, is an update from the 2009-2015 document.
The Netherlands' second MSP is available here (in English)
More recently the Netherlands adopted the North Sea Programme 2022-2027, including the maritime spatial plan and describing the policy to bolster the ecosystem, the transition to sustainable food supply and the transition to sustainable energy provision.
The Netherlands' North Sea Programme 2022-2027 is available here (in English)
Latest MSP developments
The public consultation procedure of the Partial Revision of the North Sea Programme 2022-2027 and the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has started. The international public consultation procedure of the draft decision Partial Revision of the North Sea Programme 2022-2027 and the summary of the SEA runs from 19 May 2025 until 23 June 2025. The Partial Revision outlines wind energy areas post-2032 to support sustainable energy, while also adjusting shipping routes. Final decisions are expected by the end of 2025.
The Netherlands has undertaken a revision of its maritime spatial plan in order to increase its offshore renewable energy targets (to reach 50 GW by 2040). In this context a scoping document is currently being developed. The national public consultation of the draft Memorandum on Scope and Level of Detail and the participation plan closed in January 2024. The submitted responses have been taken into account and incorporated into a response note that will be made public in the following months.
Next steps
The North Sea Energy Infrastructure Plan (EIPN - Energie Infrastructuur Plan Noordzee) focusing on the period 2030-2050, is currently being developed and it is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2025.
MSP Legislation
National MSP authority
The Netherlands' competent autority for MSP is the Interdepartmental Directors’ Consultative Body North Sea led by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Contacts:
Dutch Ministry for Infrastructure and Water management.
Rijnstraat 8 Den Haag
Lodewijk Abspoel: Lodewijk.abspoel
minienw.nl (Lodewijk[dot]abspoel[at]minienw[dot]nl)
Rijkswaterstaat
Sophie Vergouwen: sophie.vergouwenrws.nl (sophie[dot]vergouwen[at]rws[dot]nl)
Directorate for Nature and Biodiversity of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
Jeroen Vis: g.a.j.visminez.nl (g[dot]a[dot]j[dot]vis[at]minez[dot]nl)
For more information
For more information regarding the evolution of the MSP process in the Netherlands please see the dedicated country profile below.