Navigating the North Sea
The Blue Cluster en POM West Flanders invites you to engage in dialogue together with businesses, public authorities and scientists about the key decisions within the MRP and the opportunities for a sustainable blue economy in the Belgian sector of the North Sea. Afterwards, members of De Blauwe Cluster will have the chance to get to know one another better and exchange experiences during an exclusive gathering.
With the approval of the third Marine Spatial Plan (2026–2034), a new phase begins for the Belgian North Sea. During this event, we bring together key stakeholders to present the plan and engage in a dialogue on its implications for the future of our sea.
We are honoured to welcome Minister Annelies Verlinden, in her capacity as Minister responsible for the North Sea, who will introduce the new plan. Together with companies, public authorities and scientists, we will explore the key choices within the MSP, with particular attention to the opportunities for a sustainable blue economy and the strategic role of the Belgian part of the North Sea within the wider North Sea basin.
This event offers a unique opportunity to gain a clear and concise understanding of the new MSP in a short time, while also engaging with the diverse actors active in and around the North Sea.
Following the main programme, there will be time for informal networking over coffee. This will be followed by a new members event, exclusively for members of the Blue Cluster.
Below, you can register for one or both parts of the programme.
Programma
Programme – Navigating the North Sea (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Welcome & lunch
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
- Welcome by the Blue Cluster
- Address by Minister Annelies Verlinden
- Key outlines and updates of the new Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) (Marine Environment Service)
- The importance of the MSP within the wider North Sea basin (De Blauwe Cluster)
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM Panel debate on opportunities for the sustainable blue economy
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Coffee, cake & fruit
Following this session, the De Blauwe Cluster members’ event will take place
(exclusive to Blue Cluster members)
Programme – Blue Cluster as compass (4:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
4:00 PM Welcome & reception by Piet Opstaele (CEO, De Blauwe Cluster)
4:05 PM Introduction by Jozefien Vanhuyse (Neanex), Vice‑Chair of the SME Committee
4:15 PM Keynote speaker: Kristof Verlinden, Jera Nex BP (TBC)
4:35 PM Pitches by new members
5:15 PM – 7:30 PM Networking
Practical information
The event on the Marine Spatial Plan is open to the public, but the subsequent De Blauwe Cluster members’ event is reserved exclusively for members of De Blauwe Cluster.
Date: 02/06/2026
Time: 13h-16h &16h-19h30
Location: Bluebridge (Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend)
Registration is open until 28 May. Please use the form below to register.
If you do not inform us of your absence at least two days prior to the event, a no‑show fee of €100 will be charged.
