Test your innovation in realistic conditions

The research and testing infrastructure at Blue Valley Ostend supports applications in offshore energy, aquaculture, shipbuilding and climate research, among other things, enabling technologies to be tested and improved in realistic conditions. 

Marine Station Ostend (VLIZ) 

Resources: research ships, science harbour, wet and dry labs, measurement infrastructure, technical space and storage capacity 
Applications: 

• Marine biology and ecology 

• Oceanography and climate research 

• Marine technology and sensor technology 

• Aquaculture and mariculture 

• Offshore energy and marine engineering 

• Data science 

• Education and outreach 

Highlight: research ships Simon Stevin, Abbé Mann and Zeekat
Location: Slipwaykaai 2-4, 8400 Ostend

Marine@UGent Core Facility 

Resources: 1000m² laboratories, multi-species aquaculture facilities, saltwater wave flume 
Applications:  

• Marine biology and ecology 

• Oceanography and climate research 

• Aquaculture and mariculture 

• Marine technology and sensor technology 

• Offshore engineering and wave dynamics 

• Data science and e-infrastructure 

• Education and training 

Highlight: multi-functional wet lab and saltwater wave flume for realistic testing conditions
Location: Ostend Science Park, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend

Maritime Research Centre Ostend (MOC) 

Resources: towing tank (up to 8-m ship models), Coastal & Ocean Basin (30×30m wave tank), advanced measurement and observation technology 
Applications:  

• Offshore energy and coastal defence 

• Shipbuilding and maritime engineering 

• Hydrodynamics and wave dynamics 

• Autonomous vessels and marine robotics 

• Digital simulation and modelling 

• Sensor and imaging technology 

• Acoustics and underwater communication 

• Ecosystem studies and environmental monitoring 

• Data science and Digital Twin applications  

Highlight: Coastal & Ocean Basin with variable depth, wave, current and wind generators plus Robotic Operating System (ROS) for multi-ship simulations
Location: Maritiem Onderzoekscentrum, Wetenschapspark 8, 8400 Ostend 

Blue Accelerator 

Resources: offshore testing platform 500 m off the coast with a lab-in-container 
Applications: testing scale models and prototypes in real offshore conditions with options for air, water surface and seabed testing

Highlight:  state-of-the-art container with electricity, high-speed internet, plug-and-play sensors, remote control and pre-approved test area, including a safety zone
Location: 500 m off Ostend’s North Sea coast 

Marine Living Lab (ILVO) 

Resources: aquaculture facilities for land and sea farming, impact monitoring 
Applications: 

• Aquaculture and mariculture 

• Impact monitoring and environmental impact studies 

• Marine biology and ecology 

• Sensor and monitoring technology 

• Data science and e-infrastructure 

• Education and training 

Location: InnovOcean Campus, Jacobenstraat 1, 8400 Ostend 

Marifish Inc. 

Resources: onshore incubator and accelerator, lab infrastructure, food-grade production facility and processing facilities 
Applications:  

• Aquaculture and mariculture (seaweed, fish and shellfish)  

• Fisheries innovation 

• Quality monitoring and sensor technology 

• Innovative packaging technology 

• Technology development in technological and zootechnics fields 

Highlight: living lab with large volumes of seawater plus professional coaching and community of business people 
Location: Wandelaarkaai 7, Box 61, 8400 Ostend