Visit to the Blue Innovation Village at Ostend at Anchor
The sea is usually associated with traditional economic activities such as fishing and shipping. In practice, however, the sea is becoming increasingly important for other economic sectors revolving around the circular economy and tapping the potential of ‘blue growth’.
The best-known example is the construction of wind farms a few kilometres off the coast, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Other activities include the cultivation of seaweed, mussels and oysters offshore, and research is conducted into new coastal defence methods, more based on nature and less on concrete.
These new economic developments are highly diverse, but still little-known among the general public. In the blue innovation village at Ostend at Anchor, you can learn all there is to know about the companies and other organisations active in this area.
Programme
Explanations by enthusiastic exhibitors about their products and ongoing projects in the blue economy;
- Interesting presentations on topics such as aquaculture, wind energy and natural forms of coastal defence.
- Interactive sessions in which participants from the public are challenged to reflect on different challenges;
- Demonstrations of diverse innovative products and services;
- Prototypes, scale models and videos; and
- Special activities for children.
Standhouders
Onderstaande bedrijven en organisaties kan je ontmoeten in het Blauw Innovatiedorp:
- Bert Groenendaal Consultancy
- Colruyt
- De Blauwe Cluster
- Deme
- e-BO Enterprises
- Elia
- Hogere Zeevaartschool
- ILVO
- Jan De Nul
- KU Leuven
- MULTI.engineering
- POM West-Vlaanderen
- Universiteit Antwerpen
- Universiteit Gent
- VITO
- VLIZ
- VUB
Practical information
The blue innovation village is part of Ostend at Anchor and is located at the end of the trade docks (across the town hall).
Ostend at Anchor is a free event open to the public, so visitors do not need to register in advance.
The blue innovation village is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. There are usually most visitors on Saturday and Sunday.
Background information
Ostend at Anchor is the largest maritime festival on the North Sea coast. It includes a maritime market and numerous authentic ships from all over the world. Last year, the event drew 185,000 visitors and featured 165 ships and 93 stands.
The focus of the event has traditionally been on the maritime past. One of the aims of the blue innovation village is to point out that the sea will play an important role in our economic system in the future.
