Investigating levies and barriers for the development of offshore multi-use platforms in European regional seas

The ocean is a crucial driver of economic activities, providing space for sectors such as offshore wind farms, transportation, and aquaculture. To foster economic growth while minimizing environmental impacts, the European Commission has introduced a sustainable blue economy strategy. However, increasing demand for marine space has led to spatial conflicts and environmental concerns. Offshore Multi-Use Platforms (OMUPs) have emerged as a potential solution, integrating multiple marine activities within a shared infrastructure to optimize space utilization and reduce ecological footprints. This study investigates the barriers and levies associated with OMUP development in European regional seas by applying a business analysis approach to five pilot projects across Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands. The analysis integrates PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors), SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and Business Model Canvas (BMC) methodologies. Findings indicate that OMUP development faces significant challenges, including high investment costs, regulatory complexity, and stakeholder coordination difficulties, while also presenting key opportunities such as technological innovation, policy incentives, and synergies between marine sectors. The research highlights the potential of OMUPs to contribute to a sustainable blue economy by promoting efficient marine resource use and reducing spatial conflicts. Overcoming regulatory and financial barriers is crucial for scaling up pilot projects to industrial implementation, and future research should explore policy harmonization and funding mechanisms to facilitate OMUP adoption in Europe.