One year after the inauguration of the InnovOcean Campus, the extension of the Marine Station Ostend also opened its doors. These ‘wet facilities’, located one kilometre from the InnovOcean Campus, enable VLIZ to increase its research capacity and keep pace with the rapid growth of the institute.
The three-storey new build is adjacent to the original Marine Station at the Halve Maan Site in Ostend. The architects designed a contemporary, compact and nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) based on the typology of a Scandinavian port warehouse. The design also refers to the original sloping roof structure and is aimed at preserving the site’s heritage value as far as possible. In addition to the Marine Robotics Centre, the building features technical workrooms, cold and freezer rooms, laboratories, office spaces as well as a panoramic terrace with a view of the dunes and the sea.
On Friday 23 June 2023, the members of VLIZ had the opportunity to be the first to visit the extension of the Marine Station Ostend at the annual VLIZ members’ day. After a welcome speech by General Director Jan Mees, VLIZ employees informed 192 interested members of how this new building contributes to the advancement of marine research.
On Sunday 26 November 2023, no fewer than 1550 sea lovers gathered at the Marine Station Ostend for the 13th edition of Science Day. Under the banner ‘Santé Zee’, scientists shed light on the health of the ocean and the link with the human body. The visitors could experience this first hand by means of various interactive stands, workshops, an escape room, lectures and a visit to the research vessel Simon Stevin. The varied range of activities was a clear success, as this edition of Science Day on the East Bank of Ostend attracted the highest number of participants ever.
Other alterations to the site are on the agenda for the coming year. VLIZ will replace the old house located on Slipwaykaai by a new build which is more in keeping with the expanded Marine Station. The renovated historic bunker on the site will be converted into a biobank and a Digital Experience Lab. In the latter space, an interactieve installation will immerse visitors in the research conducted into plankton and climate change. Finally, the Marine Station will be expanded in 2024 with a science port in the adjacent Visserijdok wharf. The pontoon will serve as a landing stage for a brand-new working vessel and marine robot.