Spectacular 1st edition of the Belgian Offshore Day in Port of Oostende
Last week, the first edition of the Belgian Offshore Day took place on the Rebo-site in the Port of Oostende. The Belgian Offshore Day is a business event that, as the name suggests, completely fits within the framework of the offshore wind business. All regional players operating in the sector were present and had the opportunity to put their knowledge and working methods in the spotlight.
The highlight of the day was the demonstration with a helicopter from North Sea Helicopters Flanders and a brand new service vessel (Geosurveyor X) of GEOxyz. The helicopter dropped two passengers on the deck of the vessel.
Both companies are a good example of how an SME can adapt its offer into a new market. The Offshore Wind business had a thriving start with the development and construction of the C-Power wind farm.
The Geosurveyor X, the new Offshore Support vessel of GEOxyz is used in the Belgian offshore wind farms and for maintenance of measuring poles at sea for the Flemish Government. The vessel has a length of 20.56m and a width of 7.5m. There is accommodation for twelve passengers and three crew men. Geosurveyor X reaches a maximum speed of 25 knots. The ship was built in Spain.
Another new vessel of GEOxyz is the Geo Ocean II. It has a length of 40m and a width of 9m. On board there is an extensive accommodation for 23 people. Geo Ocean II is mainly used for soil testing and dive operations at sea.
Patrick Reyntjens,CEO of GEOxyz: ‘With these two vessels, we can focus more efficiently on the Blue Energy Business and give further support to various offshore works.’
The Belgian Offshore Day is an excellent substantiation that entrepreneurs believe in the strategic decision of the port authority to develop the Port of Oostende as a service port.
Secretary of the North Sea, Bart Tommelein, explained his vision on the future of the Belgian offshore wind industry. A look ahead on the next phase for the Belgian offshore wind industry was given with a panel discussion where the focus is no longer on the construction of the wind farms but on the challenges that arise from the successful exploitation of such a park.
The main purpose of this Belgian Offshore Day was to enlighten the concessionaires of the new parks that there is already a critical mass of offshore industry present on the Rebo site. In other words, there can be a lot of added value created by local suppliers. This in turn results in local employment.
The promoters e-BO Entreprises, C-Power and Senvion can already look back on a successful first edition. “The Belgian Offshore Day will provide a platform to continue to encourage innovation and to position the Belgian companies firmly on the map as pioneers,’ explains Christophe Dhaene of e-BO.”
