Sustainable and efficient use of ocean space can be achieved through a combination of different ocean uses both in close proximity, through joint operations, or on the same platform. This requires a radical change from the concept of exclusive resource rights to the inclusive sharing of ocean resources by two or more uses. Known as ocean multi-use (MU), this novel approach can reduce demand for space and potentially offer significant socio-economic and environmental benefits. Many innovative multi-use concepts have been recently proposed by the marine planning, scientific and business community, and are advocated in a range of policies. However, actual MU developments are few, mainly due to a lack of knowledge about potential impacts on the economy and the marine environment. 

The MULTI-FRAME project (ended in December 2023) aimed to increase the knowledge base and capacity of public and private actors for ocean MU systems, by providing concrete open source tools, assessment results and best practice examples. Common challenges and potential solutions were explored to ensure credible, insightful outputs with broad utility. Results informed relevant actors and encouraged them to systemically consider the concept in their marine planning practices and to streamline MU in relevant ocean policies.