Maritime spatial planning (MSP; also referred to as marine spatial planning) has emerged as an important tool for the management of shared sea spaces. The European Union (EU) has advocated the need for a holistic approach to sea management based on integrated and collaborative MSP (Moodie et al 2021). In 2014, the European Parliament and the European Council adopted a directive to provide a framework for MSP (European Parliament and Council, 2014). The 2014 Directive highlights MSP as essential within a transboundary setting to help promote cohesion reduce conflicts, foster blue growth and enhance collaboration between nation states and sea use sectors (Ibid).