Building on the success of the previous BEDEX edition, Blue Cluster is exploring the organisation of a joint Maritime Security Pavilion. Through this initiative, we aim to showcase Belgian expertise in maritime security to an international audience.

On 22 September 2026, the first Italy-Belgium Industrial Day took place in Ostend. The event brought together Italian and Belgian companies, research institutions, and public partners to explore underwater technologies, maritime security, critical infrastructure and innovation.

From 31 August to 4 September, Blue Cluster took part in the Marine Renewable Energy Academy in the Bulgarian city of Burgas. The international event brought together researchers, companies and policymakers to discuss the development of offshore renewable energy.

Companies, knowledge institutions, public authorities and innovation partners recently gathered at the Ostend City Hall for a Blue Session on Sustainable Coastal Management. The central question was: how do we build a coast and sea today that will remain safe, resilient and attractive tomorrow?

How can knowledge, experience and fresh ideas reinforce each other in the maritime sector? That question was at the heart of the second edition of Waves of Change, an initiative of the Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services (MDK) and Blue Cluster.

From smart technologies to new partnerships, innovation is playing an increasingly important role in security and defence. The first Defence Innovation in Flanders Day will bring together organisations on 27 October 2026 that are helping to develop solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The European floating offshore wind sector is facing an important next step. While the past years have primarily focused on technological development and demonstration, the focus is now increasingly shifting towards industrialisation, scaling and cost competitiveness.

With Blue Bastion, Blue Cluster aims not only to develop new technologies, but also to effectively demonstrate, validate, and accelerate their deployment in real-world applications. In doing so, we are helping to build a strong Belgian ecosystem for maritime security and defence.

Seven promising ventures from across Europe gathered in Ostend for the inaugural Wavemaker Port Innovation Awards. After a series of pitches focused on water innovation in ports, Algaenius emerged as the overall winner, ahead of Noah Water Solutions and The Great Bubble Barrier®.

The seven Flemish spearhead clusters, including Blue Cluster, are jointly launching the Intercluster cSBO Project Call 2027. The call is aimed at knowledge institutions that wish to set up strategic basic research around challenges that connect different sectors.