Blue Innovation Village at Ostend at Anchor 2024
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
You can expect the following activities in the Blue Innovation Village:
- 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.
Exhibitors
You can meet the following organisations in the Blue Innovation village:
Golden Partners
- Blue Cluster
- Jan De Nul Group
- POM West-Vlaanderen - Fabrieken voor de toekomst & The Reef
- University of Antwerp
- VITO
Silver Partners
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 along the North Sea. It features a maritime market and numerous authentic ships from all over the world. Last year the event attracted more than 200,000 visitors.
The focus of the event is traditionally on the maritime past. The arrival of the blue innovation village aims to emphasise, among other things, that the sea will continue to play an important role in our economic system in the future.
The theme of Ostend at Anchor in 2024 is Discoveries at Sea.