Blue Economy | Port Oostende

Port Oostende blue economy REBO heavy weight terminal Otary Seamade Siemens Gamesa

Offshore installation

The REBO heavy weight terminal is known as a base of operations for the construction of various wind farms at sea. Wind turbine components are brought to the terminal from all over the world, assembled and then they leave for installation at sea.

Port Oostende jobs tewerkstelling crew transfer vessel

Offshore maintenance

The 399 wind turbines, installed in the Belgian part of the North Sea, are continuously monitored and maintained. A cluster of around sixty companies carries out these works. Employment for +/- 600 full-time workers. This business cluster is located up and around the REBO heavy weight terminal.

Port Oostende Rotra Mare Blue Economy decommissioning

Decommissioning offshore wind turbines

Wind turbines are replaced by larger and more efficient turbines after a life cycle of about 20 years. Port Oostende has all the accommodation and knowledge to facilitate decommissioning projects. The REBO heavy weight terminal is equipped to handle such installations.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture includes the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, shellfish and aquatic plants. Aquaculture also includes the cultivation of fish, mussels and oysters in offshore or coastal farming installations.

Hydrogen

The production of hydrogen is essential in the energy transition to renewable energy sources. Together with DEME and PMV, we are making every effort to build a 70 MW (phase 1) / 250 MW (phase 2) hydrogen plant in Ostend that will produce green hydrogen by 2025. Green hydrogen is produced with renewable energy via electrolysis or membrane technology.

What does Blue Economy stand for?

The World Bank defines Blue Economy as: "The sustainable use of natural resources present in the seas and oceans for economic growth, the provision and improvement of people's livelihoods and employment while maintaining the health of the ecosystems of the seas and oceans".

The development and maintenance of wind farms at sea (offshore wind) is currently the most important part of the Blue Economy. Developments in wave and tidal energy, aquaculture, maritime connections and coastal protection are also part of the Blue Economy.
Oostende presents itself as the offshore wind hub for the southern part of the North Sea. Many offshore wind projects have already been realized from the REBO heavy weight terminal. Every wind farm in the Belgian part of the North Sea is maintained from Oostende.
Meanwhile, some 600 full-time employees are working in this part of the Blue Economy.

"It is our goal to excel in Blue Growth by offering specific port facilities, efficient infrastructure, research and innovation collaborations into an extensive national and international network.

Dirk Declerck, CEO Port Oostende

Port Oostende, Vole au Vent, jack-up vessel, Frederic Demeûs