The objective of maritime spatial planning is to agree on long-term principles for the use of the Estonian sea area to promote the achievement and preservation of the good status of the marine environment and to promote the maritime economy.
The maritime spatial plan specifies the areas where maritime activities can be carried out, and under which conditions. The plan must be considered when drawing up spatial plans, making decisions affecting the use of the sea area, authorising the use of the sea area and when preparing strategic development documents for state and local government.
Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan
The Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan (MSP) is a national strategic document of spatial development. Therefore, the plan focuses on the principles of spatial development and the activities are not planned in detail.
The spatial plan provides guidance and conditions for the next steps in the planning of activities, including those at a local government level. The planning solution is based on environmental considerations and the best knowledge available. This knowledge was provided by a broad-based expert group of planning authorities, cooperation with other countries, agencies and stakeholders, and additional analyses.
In preparing the maritime spatial plan, the combined effect of the activities already underway, and those still under consideration in the sea area, was assessed. The impact of such activities on the marine environment and economy, as well as the social and cultural impact, were also assessed
A separate impact assessment report, which determines the mitigation measures to avoid significant impacts, has been prepared for the spatial plan. The spatial plan was also developed and the impact assessed across borders.
Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan was approved by the Government on 12 May 2022.
Hiiu and Pärnu Maritime Spatial Plans
There are two maritime spatial plans in effect in the Estonian sea area – the Hiiu and Pärnu maritime spatial plans. The purpose of these plans is to carry out, for the first time in Estonia, a maritime spatial planning process in accordance with the Planning Act, and to define the prospective use of the sea area and the necessary conditions. The spatial plans serve as a basis for planning the rest of Estonia’s sea area.
The Hiiu and Pärnu maritime spatial plans are to remain in effect after the establishment of the national maritime spatial plan, which means that the solutions provided in these spatial plans will continue to be the basis for future decisions guiding the use of the sea area in the respective area. With the judgment by the Supreme Court on 8 August 2018, the Hiiu maritime spatial plan was abolished with regard to sections covering offshore wind energy (case 3-16-1472). The Hiiu maritime spatial plan remains valid in respect of the other topics.
Contact
Lembe Reiman
Adviser
Last updated: 10.04.2025
