Please note that this plan has been revised and the new MSP for the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea entered into force on 1 September 2021. More information available here.
In order to coordinate the growing conflict of maritime uses, in particular between developing and space intensive offshore wind farms and marine environmental protection goals as well as traditional maritime uses such as shipping and fisheries, an integrative and sustainable approach is needed for the development of the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The plan is based on time targets and principles of spatial planning in the EEZ regarding economic and scientific uses, ensuring the safety and efficiency of navigation, as well as protection of the marine environment.
Implementation Context
The Spatial Plan formulates guidelines for spatial development, sets targets and principles, especially areas, for functions and uses. For the German EEZ in the Baltic Sea the Spatial Plan contains provisions aimed at coordinating the individual uses and functions of shipping, the exploitation of resources, laying of pipelines and submarine cables, scientific marine research, wind power production, fisheries and mariculture, as well as protection of the marine environment.
Legal basis
The legal ordinance on Spatial Planning in the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea(AWZ Baltic Sea-ROV).
of December 10st 2009 allowed BSH to work on the targets and principles of spatial planning for the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea, with regard to its economic and scientific use, with regard to safety and efficiency of maritime traffic as well as for the protection of the marine environment, are being determined as a Spatial Plan, comprising text and map.
Objectives of the plan
- Coordinate the growing conflict of maritime uses, in particular between developing and space intensive offshore wind farms and marine environmental protection goals as well as traditional maritime uses such as shipping and fisheries, an integrative and sustainable approach is needed for the development of the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Creating framework conditions allowing the offshore wind energy potential to be exploited. contributes to the implementation of the Federal Government's national marine strategy for sustainable use and protection of the seas (national strategy for the seas)
Process / Plan development
- Guidelines for spatial development of the sea have been formulated
- Priority areas have been designated for shipping and wind energy development; other uses are prohibited in such areas unless they are compatible with the priority uses. The designation of areas for shipping takes account of the principle of international law attributing priority to this use; recognised shipping routes that are indispensable for international shipping constitute the framework of the overall planning concept. Reservation areas have been designated for shipping, pipeline, and research uses that are considered particularly important when balancing with spatially significant competing uses.
- Consideration of other concerns such as military use, tourism and leisure and ferry crossings have been integrated in the plan.
- The spatial planning designations of the German coastal states Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein concerning the territorial sea have been taken into account, as well as the Federal Government's strategy for wind energy use at sea, and the Federal Government's marine strategy for sustainable use of the sea.
- A Strategic Environmental Assessment according to SEA Directive 2001/42/EC on the impact. This includes a description of the measures to be taken in the course of monitoring the impact on the environment.
Area covered
The German part of the EEZ in the Baltic Sea.
Designated Uses
- Shipping
- Exploitation of non-living resources
- Pipelines and submarine cables
- Marine scientific research
- Energy production, wind energy in particular
- Fisheries and mariculture
- Marine environment
- Military use
- Fehmarn Belt crossing
- Leisure and tourism
- Ammunition dump sites and sediment deposition
Results
The Spatial Plan itself is the written result of the process as described. Concrete spatial results can be found in chapter 6 of the plan. It contains the coordinates concerning the regulations for shipping, windmill parks, scientific research and cables, and includes maps with transnational pipelines and cables in the Baltic Sea region.
A map has been developed providing an overview of the main designations.
Impact on planning / decision making
The plan sets binding rules and regulations for authorities, mainly with regard to licensing procedures and approval of projects.
Public Participation
Broad public participation was secured through consultations with stakeholders (agencies and NGOs): marine environment and nature conservation, fisheries, energy, sand and gravel, shipping, military, tourism, leisure boating, research.
A public hearing on the draft plan with ca. 80 stakeholders attending -mainly from other planning authorities, industry and NGOs – was held in Rostock in late 2008.
Transboundary Consultation
Consultations with neighbouring countries were conducted by
- Notifying about the intention to set up a maritime spatial plan in the initial phase of the planning process and asking about their interest in being kept informed and consulted
- Consultation on the draft maritime spatial plan by written information
- Several face-to-face meetings with neighbouring countries’ representatives
- ESPOO consultation in the course of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, asking for potential negative impact of the plan on neighbouring countries’ marine environment, the protected areas in particular
Contact Person
Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH)
Dr. Nico Nolte
Tel nr: +49 40 3190 - 3500
Email: nico.nolte
bsh.de (nico[dot]nolte[at]bsh[dot]de)