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The growth of the maritime economy throughout Europe results in increasing demands for maritime space coupled with the need to ensure a viable marine environment. This phenomenon has led to the integrated maritime policy (IMP) approach throughout Europe with Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) being by now the widely acknowledged tool for co-ordinating spatial use and balancing of interests in the sea.

Within the Baltic Sea Region MSP is highly promoted by VASAB and HELCOM, which have created a joint working group and act as Horizontal Action Leaders for MSP within the EUSBSR. On national level, many BSR countries have passed the necessary legislation and are about to start MSP processes. In March 2013 these developments have received an extra push with the EU proposal for a directive to create a common framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management.