Ostend: Where the Blue Economy feels at home

A unique ecosystem of players

Ostend is home to an impressive network of research institutes, companies, and governmental partners. Here you will find the experts and infrastructure shaping the future of our seas — and they are eager to support your conference. A selection of the diverse actors that make Ostend the center of the blue economy:

• Research & Knowledge: VLIZ (including the Marine Robotics Centre) and ILVO (both housed in the InnovOcean Campus), Marine@UGent and the towing tank (Sleeptank) at Ostend Science Park, VIVES, VITO, COB
• Companies & Industry: Port of Ostend, Exail, e-BO, GeoXYZ, C-Power, Otary, Parkwind, DEME, Jan De Nul, Elia
• Institutes, clusters & government: Navy Academy, De Blauwe Cluster, POM West Flanders, UNESCO’s IODE unit, MOC at OSP
• Innovation Hubs: Ostend Science Park, Bluebridge (with state-of-the-art congress and incubation infrastructure), Marifish Inc.
• Training & Safety: RelyOn Nutec, The Reef

Ostend as a hotspot for European cooperation in wind energy and maritime safety

On 24 April 2023, Ostend hosted the European North Sea Summit on wind energy, where heads of state and governments from nine countries joined forces on their offshore wind ambitions. The historic “Ostend Declaration” remains a guiding framework today for collaboration in energy, climate, and the Blue Economy.

The summit confirmed Ostend’s role as a strategic hub in the North Sea region and as a meeting place where politics, science and industry intersect. The recent visit of King Philip and Queen Mathilde on 16 September 2025 further spotlighted the city’s maritime importance. During their visit to the Maritime Rescue & Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the VLIZ Marine Robotics Centre, attention was drawn to the crucial role of marine knowledge, safety, and innovation in Ostend.

Conferences that lead to real change

A conference in Ostend invites more than keynotes and panel talks. Your delegates visit pilot projects, ships, and test facilities. They cocreate with local stakeholders. In this way, your conference becomes a catalyst for true transformation. Think concretely of test infrastructure and research institutions such as COB, The Reef, the Marine Robotics Centre (VLIZ), companies like Ostend Science Park and Port of Ostend, or out in the field: pilot sites from dune to dike, offshore wind farms, or the Blue Accelerator.

Easily accessible from around the world

Ostend combines modern conference venues with extensive hotel capacity and a vibrant cultural and gastronomic offering. The city is easily reachable, with the international Ostend-Bruges Airport nearby and excellent connections via train and highway. Immediately, you notice: the city by the sea is a congress destination that offers you a lot — especially if you are active in the Blue Economy. Because this is the place where your domain lives and grows.