Human Activities: EU Vessel Density Map - Detailed Method

In March 2017, EMODnet was mandated to create vessel density maps of EU waters showing the average number of vessels of certain type (cargo, passenger, fishing etc.) in a given period within a grid cell. Vessel density maps were by far the most requested GIS data product by EMODnet Human Activities – back then EMODnet was split in 7 different portals and the vessel density maps were under the remit of EMODnet Human Activities – users, according to a survey carried out in 2016. The maps went live on EMODnet (https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu) for visualisation and download on 11 March 2019. The purpose of this document is to outline the full method that led to the creation of the maps now available online.