OCEAN MULTI-USE
Integrated solutions for an efficient use of marine and coastal resources
Unlocking environmental and economic benefits
Ocean multi-use is an innovative approach that involves combining different activities, such as offshore wind and aquaculture, to achieve multiple benefits, such as carbon sequestration and green energy. By integrating diverse marine economic activities, multi-use, together with marine spatial planning, becomes a tool to promote sustainable and efficient management of ocean resources.
SUBMARINER is at the forefront of multi-use developing models that are both economically viable and have a positive impact on their marine environment. We advocate for the seamless integration of multi-use into marine planning and policy, while fostering the development of multi-use solutions that benefit local communities and the natural environment.
Discover our multi-use projects
We bring partners together to jointly develop innovative multi-use solutions and support planners and regulators to promote multi-use
FLORES
ULTFARMS
MULTI-FRAME
Factors limiting the implementation of multi-use
Many innovative multi-use concepts have been proposed by the marine planning, scientific and business communities and are being advocated for in a range of policies. Further, demonstrators across Europe are beginning to show the real benefits of multi-use solutions.
Despite progress being made, functional multi-use developments remain few in number due to inadequate regulatory frameworks and a lack of knowledge about the potential environmental and economic impacts of such projects. At SUBMARINER we are working to address these gaps through our work.
Multi-use resources hub
Our specialists have put together a collection of publications, additional relevant projects, tools, and resources on the topic of ocean multi-use
Latest multi-use news
Roadmap Set for the Blue Economy in the Western Baltic
Testing the Offshore Technologies of Tomorrow
Turning Aquaculture into Tourism Opportunities
UNITED project and its German pilot featured in German TV documentary
Still have questions? We have answers
What is Ocean Multi-Use?
Ocean Multi-Use (MU) refers to the sustainable and efficient utilization of ocean space by combining various ocean activities in close proximity, through joint operations, or on the same platform. This innovative approach seeks to reduce the demand for ocean space while offering potential socio-economic and environmental benefits. It involves integrating different ocean uses, such as renewable energy generation, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, and conservation, to optimize the use of marine resources. While Table 7 provides a more extensive definition of multi-use types based on the type of resources shared at any given time, it is important to note that these terms are often used interchangeably in the literature. Source
Why Multi-Use?
Demand for and pressure on ocean space and the environment is continuously increasing. Global megatrends such as population growth, climate change and environmental degradation require new blue solutions. Sustainable development of the ocean can no longer rely on single-sector management, but requires a more holistic, integrated approach. At the same time innovation and resulting new knowledge also provides new opportunities. MU solutions can lead to substantial benefits including:
- more efficient use of ocean space and resources by concentrating uses in one area and leaving other areas free for future generations;
- provide economic benefits to marine users from synergetic use, maximising the economic benefit from a certain area;
- enable certain uses to develop in maritime areas, where this would otherwise not be possible due to the dominance of other maritime uses;
- reduce the environmental impact of a given use by merging it with another activity;
- provide additional socio-economic benefits to the coastal region. Source
Want to know more?
Reach out to our expert
Ivana Lukic, Multi-Use, MSP and MPA Team Lead
