Metocean analysis to support Maritime Spatial Planning in the western Black Sea Basin

The service described has the potential to serve as a valuable tool for maritime space planning and licensing authorities, as well as other users interested in mapping suitable areas for various maritime activities like aquaculture, offshore energy, oil and gas, fishing, or tourism. Users can identify areas meeting specific hydrodynamic and water quality criteria, considering parameters such as waves, currents, temperature, and oxygen levels. The service allows for the exclusion of criteria, such as marine protected areas or shipping lanes, providing a comprehensive overview of the suitability of different areas for diverse uses. Particularly beneficial for policy implementation authorities, the service enables a quick assessment of areas against required criteria by conducting a statistical analysis of available data over the same grid, spanning 20-30 years. This information is derived from multiple data sources and models, incorporating met oceanographic forecasts, Earth observation data from Copernicus Marine Service, local models, and in situ sensor networks. Developed as part of the SafeBless project, the service focuses on the Romanian maritime space and coastal zone and is a collaborative effort involving the Romanian National Institute for Marine Research and Development and HIDROMOD, a company with expertise in data analytics and operational services implementation and maintenance.

This Use Case was funded by the Copernicus Marine Service User Engagement Programme 2022-2028.