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Sweden

MSP EU Legend 3
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

  • Sweden's territorial sea out to 12 nautical miles (as defined by UNCLOS) covers an area of approximately 70,000 km2.
  • The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers an area of approximately 60,000 km2.
  • Swedish territorial waters are divided into two zones: public and private waters.
  • In Öresund and the Åland Sea, the territorial seas meet at the central line by a special agreement with Denmark and Finland respectively, and at the Norwegian border in the Skagerrak and the Finnish border in Bothnian Bay - due to the fact that the width of the sea between them is shorter than 400 nautical miles. The EEZ is therefore limited to the central line between adjacent states. 

Relevant links

View best practices relevant for Sweden
Go to Baltic Sea basin page
Contact email:
balticsea [at] maritime-spatial-planning.ec.europa.eu

Ongoing projects

View all projects for Sweden
Back to all Countries

Maritime Spatial Plan(s)

Status: Adopted

Sweden adopted its Maritime Spatial Plan on 10 February 2022. Three national plans covering the territorial sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have been prepared: Skagerrak/Kattegat, Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia. The marine spatial plans include Sweden’s Economic Zone and the areas that are not included in properties in Swedish territorial seas from a nautical mile outside the baseline referred to in the Swedish Sea Territory and Maritime Zones Act.

Sweden's plans are available here (in English)

Information on the MSP process in Sweden is available here (in English)

Sweden is developing amendments to their plans to meet new electricity generation targets from offshore wind energy. Proposals shall be submitted to the Government by 31 December, 2024.

MSP legislation

The Swedish Environmental Code (EC, 1998:808) and the Plan and Building Act (2010:900) constitute the legal basis for MSP in Sweden. According to the Environmental Code there shall be three marine spatial plans: Bothnian Bay, Baltic Sea, Western Waters (Skagerrak/Kattegatt) covering the area one nautical mile from the baseline seawards (incl. the EEZ). The plans, which shall be adopted by the Government, shall guide and contribute to sustainable development. The Government may, according to the legislation, adopt regulations prohibiting or limiting activities in the destined geographical areas. 

The EU MSP Directive was transposed to national legistaltion through the Marine Spatial Planning Ordinance (2015:400), which contains provisions on geographical boundaries, the content of the marine spatial plans, the responsibility for preparation, consultation and cooperation in the proposal process, and monitoring and review. In parallel, the Plan and Building Act (PBL Act, 2010:900) regulates the responsibilities and mandate for the municipalities to plan land and water including the territorial sea.

National MSP authority 

Sweden's competent authority for MSP is the Minstry of Climate and Enterprise

Contacts: 

Ministry of Environment

Ms. Anna Ahlén

SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden

+46 (0)8 405 10 00

E-mail: anna.ahlenatregeringskansliet.se (anna[dot]ahlen[at]regeringskansliet[dot]se)

Web: www.regeringen.se

Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM)

Marine Spatial Planning

Mr. Mr Per Olsson 

Head of  Division of Marine Spatial Planning  

Box 11930, SE-404 39 Göteborg, Sweden

Tel: +46 (0)10-698 6907

E-mail: per.olssonathavochvatten.se (per[dot]olsson[at]havochvatten[dot]se) 

Web: www.havochvatten.se/en

For more information:

Sweden full Country Information Profile
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