Finland's initial MSP draft plan set to be ready during the spring
The first half of 2026 has been a busy period with regard to revising Finland’s Maritime Spatial Plan. The eight coastal regional councils have been working closely together to develop planning solutions based on new data and stakeholder dialogue. The initial draft plan will be presented to stakeholders in June, at which time the opportunity to comment on it will also open to the public in Finland.
The Finnish MSP Coordination Group gathered together at Uusimaa Regional Council premises in March 2026.
Work on updating Finland’s Maritime Spatial Plan has progressed rapidly this spring. Based on extensive stakeholder dialogue and data collection over the past few years, concrete planning solutions have been developed as reflected both on the plan map and in the written sections. The initial draft plan is already well advanced, but work will continue over the coming weeks.
The Finnish MSP Coordinating Group, comprising just over twenty members, gathered in Helsinki at the Uusimaa Regional Council’s offices at the end of March to confirm key planning solutions and push the work forward. Joint time and discussion are essential for the planning process, as the Maritime Spatial Plan covers all of Finland’s maritime areas, where regional circumstances and priorities vary. The goal is to create a single, unified strategic plan, which requires common approaches, close interregional cooperation, and, at times, creative thinking.
The initial draft plan examines current trends through cross-cutting themes in maritime spatial planning, namely security of supply and safety, climate-smart approaches, the European Green Deal, and multi-use of the sea. Alongside these, energy production and transmission, ecological connectivity, transportation, land-sea interactions, food production, and cultural heritage were specifically discussed during the days in Helsinki.
The initial draft plan will be presented to the public for the first time at our annual MSP webinar on June 16, 2026 (only in Finnish). You can register now via this link. The event program will be further refined over the course of the spring. We hope to see you there!
