History

At the end of 2017, Colruyt, DEME, Econopolis, INVE, Jan De Nul, Sioen Industries, Tractebel Engineering, Vanbreda Risk & Benefits, Vyncke and ZERI founded the non-profit  organisation under Belgian law Blue Cluster. The objective was to establish improved, cross-sectoral partnerships and closer cooperation between knowledge centres and government agencies so as to encourage new investments and undertake innovative projects in the Belgian part of the North Sea and beyond.

In early 2018, an application was submitted for recognition as a spearhead cluster. This recognition was granted on a conditional basis in March 2018.

In February, Caroline Ven became the CEO of Blue Cluster. Under her leadership, the partnership experienced strong growth. 

In June, Blue Cluster was officially launched with an opening event. This event was attended by numerous prominent figures.

In September, Flanders' Maritime Cluster was integrated into Blue Cluster. This was an important step towards the final recognition as a spearhead cluster.

In November, Blue Cluster launched its very first call for project proposals to be submitted by companies.

At the end of 2018, the Blue Cluster team consisted of eight staff members. Another two employees were seconded.

In February, the cluster pact was signed. Since then, Blue Cluster has been a fully-fledged spearhead cluster in the Flemish innovation landscape.

In March, Blue Cluster and the Belgian Offshore Cluster concluded a strategic partnership. This marked the beginning of a fruitful cooperation.

In April, Blue Cluster made its first international foray by taking part in a mission to Taiwan. 

In July, representatives of our members and partners learned a great deal about the coast during the first edition of the Coastal Scan.

In November, we organised the Coastal Marine Tour and took care of the very first Oceans programme of G-STIC.

In July, the second edition of the Coastal Scan took place. Due to the coronavirus crisis, no external parties could participate in this event.

On 1 October, Caroline Ven handed over the reins to Marc Nuytemans, and a new chapter in the story of Blue Cluster began.

At the end of October, Blue Cluster presented the Blue Innovation Awards for the very first time. These awards are intended to highlight promising innovative projects in the blue economy.

In May, Blue Cluster launched a white paper on ecosystem approach. This document outlines the concept of an ecosystem approach performance wheel.

In late August, Blue Cluster signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Business Network for Offshore Wind, a major American organisation in the offshore wind industry. 

In September, the first edition of the Blue Economy Science Summit took place. This event brings together marine scientists and companies in the blue economy. 

In early October, Blue Cluster participated in a thematic drone event during Technofest, the Belgian navy's technology weekend.

In late Octonner, the Blue Innovation Awards 2021 were awarded during the World Expo in Dubai within the scope of G-STIC. This event took place simultaneously with the first Blue Innovation Party in Antwerp.

In November,  Blue Cluster signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Basque Energy Cluster, one of our partners in the ELBE Alliance, and entered into a structural partnership with Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT). 

In May, Blue Cluster and VLIZ launched the second edition of the Blue Economy Science Summit (BESS). The central topic of the event was stakeholder engagement.

The Blue Night, Blue Cluster's first large-scale networking event since the outbreak of the corona crisis, took place in August. 

The Blue Innovation Awards 2022 were presented at het Havenhuis in Antwerp in mid-December during the Blue Innovation Party.

In January, Blue Cluster coordinated the Oceans programme at G-STIC Rio. The central topics were carbon accounting and the future of negative emission technologies.

In early March, Blue Cluster published a manual for the use of sensors in aquaculture systems. The document is intended to help (start-up) companies who want to digitise their cultivation system.

In the course of May, Marc Nuytemans announced his resignation as CEO of Blue Cluster. On 1 June, Piet Opstaele took over the helm. On the same day, Blue Cluster celebrated its five-year anniversary during Ostend at Anchor. 

From 1 to 4 June, Blue Cluster organised its very first Blue Innovation Village during Ostend at Anchor. The aim of this village is to present innovations in the blue economy to a broad audience. 

In November, Blue Cluster launched the website BluePowered.be. On this website you can find a detailed overview of Belgiam commanies in the offshore wind energy supply chain.

In December, the first edition of Blue Cluster's new members event took place. During this event, Blue Cluster's latest members have the opportunity to present themselves to the other members.

In March 2024, Blue Cluster announced the results of a new study on the importance of the blue economy. The study confirms that the blue economy remains a very important driver of the Belgian economic system.

In late March, we organised a politcal debate on the future of the North Sea, and we were awared the Alliance Partner Award during the Belgian Offshore Days within the scope of our efforts in the offshore wind industry.

In May, the third edition of the Blue Economy Science Summit (BESS) took place within the scope of the Belgian presidency of the European Union. Additionally, we organised the second edition of the Blue Innovation Village during OOstende voor Anker. 

In June 2024, we presented the Blue Innovation Awards for the fourth time. The winners of this year included Zulu Associates, Citribel and Elia. The award ceremony took place during Antwerp Maritime Week.

In September, Blue Cluster concluded a partnership with Marifish.inc. The aim of this incubator is to support projects and start-ups active within aquaculture, innovative fisheries and marine data in their growth ambitions.

In October, we announced the results of a public survey around economic activity at sea. These insights provide a good basis for raising public awareness of economic activities at sea.

In November, Blue Cluster participated for the first time in the Flanders International Business Convention. This event brings together all the key players in international business with a link to Flanders in Brussels.

In late January, Blue Cluster and POM West-Vlaanderen called on the federal government to adjust the Marine Spatial Plan 2026-2034 and provide explicit space for innovative and sustainable economic activities in the North Sea.

In February, Blue Cluster launched a roadmap on maritime security to better protect Belgium's seaports and offshore infrastructure through cooperation and innovation. The focus is on deterrence, detection and rapid response.

The Belgian Offshore Days 2025 took place at the beginning of March. Blue Cluster and POM West Flanders organised an international programme for the first time, with delegations from different countries. The aim is to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen cooperation around sustainable energy.

In May, during Ostend at Anchor, you could once again visit the Blue Innovation Village to delve into the future of the sea. This year, coordination was in the hands of the Institute for Research on the Enchantment of the Seas (IOBZ), with support from Blue Cluster.

In early June, Blue Cluster published a new position paper in the context of the European Ocean Pact. That pact will later be launched in its final form at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, where The Blue Cluster will attend with a delegation.

An updated edition of the brochure Gearing up our blue knowledge was published in mid-June. This publication by VLIZ, Blue Cluster, POM West-Vlaanderen and the WEWIS Department shows how Flanders is responding to challenges to our seas and oceans through knowledge and innovation.