In 2009, the first spatial development plans for the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea and Baltic Sea came into force, setting out provisions for the use and protection of the two sea areas. Since then, conditions and spatial demands changed considerably. Besides the main actors like planning authorities and the maritime economy, the scientific community also has been involved in maritime spatial planning and developed recommendations for the revision of the spatial plans.
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) looks back on 10 years of experience with MSP. It provided a reliable framework for the uses in the EEZ and had a particular impact – also via the sectoral planning – on the expansion of offshore wind energy. The Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI), as the competent authority for spatial planning in Germany, has, jointly with the BSH, decided to revise the maritime spatial plans for the German EEZ.