Guiding choices for greater safety, sustainability and innovation
Below you can find an overview of the most important elements of the federal policy document North Sea 2025, supplemented with the answers to relevant parliamentary questions.
1. A safe and resilient North Sea
The North Sea is of vital importance to Belgium. The document focuses on protecting critical infrastructures such as submarine cables, wind farms and pipelines. This is done through:
- increased cooperation with Defence;
- maritime safety checks (ports, shipping);
- a vision text from DG Shipping on maritime security; and
- a sectoral analysis for infrastructure protection within the Belgian Shipping Code.
The European directive against the so-called "shadow fleet" was also discussed. Belgium is actively working on its implementation, including a reporting obligation and screening mechanisms.
2. Energy: between innovation and realism
The policy document confirms Belgium's ambition to position itself as an energy hub in the North Sea.
- Energy island: negotiations are currently ongoing at cabinet level. According to Minister Verlinden, a breakthrough is possible in the short term.
- Offshore wind: a repowering plan will be introduced, which will be of crucial importance given that the concessions for the current zones expire in the coming decades. Energy development on land remains complex.
- Floating Solar: although recognised as potentially complementary to wind energy, the minister believes it is too early to include floating solar in tenders. She refers to uncertainties in technical feasibility on the open sea and timing conflicts with EU support.
3. Spatial planning and ecology
- Marine Spatial Plan (MSP): the design was prepared under the previous government. The current minister confirms that the public consultation still needs to be processed, and promises continued attention to the concerns of coastal municipalities.
- Marine environment: investments are being made in marine biodiversity, including through the BELREEFS project. There will also be funding for maps with ecologically valuable zones.
4. Explosives problem: Paardenmarkt
The policy document underlines the seriousness of the Paardenmarkt munitions dump. An emergency and intervention plan has been completed, and an information day for the services involved will be scheduled. Innovations are being developed to improve leak detection and reduce risks.
5. International collaboration and postponement of the North Sea Summit
Cooperation at EU and North Sea level remains a priority. Due to political negotiations in Germany, the North Sea Summit has been postponed to 2026, but Belgium remains committed to bilateral processes.
Conclusion
The policy document North Sea 2025 contains a number of important anchor points for the future of the blue economy. The federal government clearly opts for an integrated approach, although many operational questions remain open (such as repowering and spatial planning). For members of Blue Cluster, follow-up and involvement in the implementation remain essential.
Would you like to know more about the federal policy document and its impact on companies and other organisations in the blue economy? Please contact us.
