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IHK Schleswig-Holstein
Maritime spatial planning: setting sails
The North Sea and Baltic Sea are among the most intensively used marine areas in Europe. In addition to shipping, fishing, offshore wind energy, raw material extraction and environmental protection, tourism – especially water sports – also plays an important role. In order to coordinate the various interests in a limited space and ensure sustainable use, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) draws up maritime spatial plans. These plans specify how the marine areas may be used and how competing uses are to be coordinated.
Maritime spatial planning aims to ensure the orderly, sustainable and conflict-free use of marine areas. At European level, it is regulated by EU Directive 2014/89/EU, which has been transposed into national law by the Member States. In Germany, it has been implemented in particular by the Spatial Planning Act (ROG) and the ‘Ordinance on Spatial Planning in the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea and Baltic Sea’.
Maritime spatial planning distinguishes between the so-called ‘12 nautical mile zone’ (coastal waters, under the jurisdiction of the federal states) and the ‘exclusive economic zone’ (EEZ), which extends approximately 200 nautical miles into the sea and is administered by the federal government.
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The German maritime areas of the North Sea and Baltic Sea are divided into different zones, each of which has specific main uses. These include:
• Shipping routes: priority areas for commercial maritime traffic, in which no permanent obstacles are permitted
• Offshore wind farms: priority areas for wind turbines, especially in the North Sea, but also increasingly in the Baltic Sea
• Nature reserves: protected areas (e.g. FFH areas, bird sanctuaries) in which certain activities are restricted or prohibited
• Military training areas: zones that are temporarily or permanently reserved for Bundeswehr manoeuvres
• Fishing areas, raw material extraction, research, etc.
Sailing is generally permitted in large parts of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, but is subject to certain restrictions, especially in designated priority areas for other uses or protected areas. In general, the following applies:
• Coastal areas and open sea: Sailing is generally permitted, provided there are no local prohibitions or restrictions (e.g. for nature conservation reasons).
• Offshore wind farms: In the North Sea, recreational boating is generally not permitted in active wind farms. In the Baltic Sea, where wind farms are closer to the coast, regulations may be stricter or more relaxed. Increased caution is required in the vicinity, as there are safety zones (usually a 500-metre distance requirement from the turbines).
• Nature reserves: Navigation bans or speed restrictions may apply in protected areas. Anchoring is prohibited in some areas (e.g. certain seagrass beds or breeding areas). It is important for sailors to consult the relevant maps, as violations are punishable by law.
• Military zones: These areas are usually closed for a limited period of time. Sailors must keep themselves informed about current notices to mariners (BfS). There may be short-term closures during exercises.
• Shipping lanes: Sailing is permitted here, but commercial shipping has right of way. Particular caution is required in narrow or busy areas such as the Elbe estuary or the Fehmarn Belt.
Various digital and analogue aids are available to sailors for orientation at sea and to avoid conflicts with other users:
• Nautical charts and electronic navigation systems (e.g. Navionics, OpenSeaMap) usually also show protected areas and restrictions on use.
• The BSH regularly publishes updated maps on maritime spatial planning in the EEZ.
• The ‘BfS-Online’ app provides information on current navigation warnings, restricted areas and other safety-related information.
Maritime spatial planning is an important tool for coordinating the diverse uses of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. For sailors, this means in practice that they are consciously navigating within a regulated area that has clear rules. Nevertheless, sailing remains possible and permitted in large parts of German waters – provided that you find out about the applicable restrictions before setting sail. In this way, maritime spatial planning ultimately also contributes to the safety and sustainability of water sports.
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