On 18 March 2026, nearly 60 stakeholders from public authorities, research institutes, industry and non‑profit organisations gathered for the EMODnet webinar “Roadmap for the Harmonisation of Data Management in Offshore Licensing Procedures”. The session highlighted the growing need for consistent, interoperable data practices across Europe’s expanding offshore sectors and presented a practical roadmap to support this transition.
A Collaborative Dialogue Across Maritime Sectors
The webinar opened with a welcome and introduction, followed by an overview of the EMODnet Ingestion project presented by Dick Schaap (MARIS). He outlined the EMODnet mission and its long-standing role in improving marine data accessibility and promoting standardisation across Europe.
Francesco Lombardo (Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Malta) outlined key challenges and needs from the viewpoint of a regulatory authority. He emphasised the importance of harmonised approaches and strong data governance frameworks to ensure clear, consistent procedures. According to Lombardo, such improvements not only enhance data accessibility and interoperability but also contribute to a more transparent and efficient offshore licensing process.
Presentation of the Roadmap
A key highlight of the webinar was the presentation of a Roadmap for Harmonised Data Management in Offshore Licensing Procedures, which offers a structured overview of guidance and best practices designed to support authorities and developers in streamlining offshore licensing procedures. It focuses on two thematic areas: 1) governance and regulatory framework, including institutional barriers, and 2) data management and interoperability. Participants broadly agreed that the roadmap provides a clear, accessible guide and represents a meaningful step towards shared practices across Europe.
Best Practice Example: Wind at Sea Ecological Programme (WOZEP)
Jochem Boersma (Witteveen+Bos) shared insights from the Dutch WOZEP programme, illustrating how coordinated data practices can significantly enhance environmental assessments for offshore wind and ensure that valuable marine data is accessible to all. His contribution demonstrated the value of long-term, structured data collection supported by transparent data governance agreements.
Key Outcomes and Reflections
During the discussion, participants emphasised several themes, including the acceleration of harmonisation, the central role that the EU should play, and that EMODnet is well-positioned to support the harmonisation of data management and licensing procedures. In the discussions, participants argued that the next steps should focus on greater harmonisation of data and regulatory processes, stressing that this is essential for efficient data management and transparent licensing procedures across Europe. They also expressed the desire that the EU should lead the alignment of standards and processes, ensuring coherence between Member States. Lastly, the participants underlined that EMODnet can strengthen harmonisation by offering webinars and knowledge-sharing events, supporting common standards adoption, expanding submission services and data storage options, and helping build stakeholder capacity through training and guidance.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The webinar concluded by reaffirming the importance of collaboration, standardisation, and capacity-building in improving data management in offshore licensing procedures. The findings from the stakeholder engagement activities and the presented roadmap together provide a strong foundation for future work. EMODnet will continue to engage with the community to promote shared standards and facilitate efficient data flows and in this way support Europe’s sustainable blue economy.