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A boat and wind turbines at sea in cloudy weather.

Building a blue economy

Promoting sustainable management of North Sea resources

A boat and wind turbines at sea in cloudy weather.

A sustainable blue economy is a part of the EU Green Deal. The blue economy must be aligned with needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimise waste and pollution, and preserve marine biodiversity.

We fund projects that support a healthy North Sea through forward-looking planning and sustainable economic development in the maritime sector.

Discover project highlights

Browse the slideshow to discover key project achievements:

Dive into project success stories

Explore stories about project forging a sustainable blue economy in the Greater North Sea.

Two workers focused on a manufacturing task.

> Navigating the future of skills and industries

A blue North Sea seen from above in lightly clouded weather, dotted with wind turbines and a yellow test facility.

> Shared visions, stronger winds: Boosting Europe's strategy for offshore wind energy

A cargo ship fitted with rotor sails.

> Catching waves for wind-powered shipping

People on the deck of a ship, handling equipment in rough weather

> Coming to grips with the remnants of war

A young lady standing in a harbour, leaning against a large EU flag.

> On the way to zero emissions in maritime transport

Av visualisation of a wind-assisted ship.

< Creating tailwind for wind-assisted shipping

Explore projects building the blue economy

Projects in the VIB programme period (2021-2027)

Enabling ports to become springboards for the green maritime transition

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Icon showing a docked cargo ship, a crane, and the sun

Addressing unexploded ordnance in the North Sea

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Icon showing a sinking ship.

Reducing plastic outflow into the North Sea

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Building innovative offshore logistics for the offshore wind industry in the North Sea

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Developing next-level Maritime Spatial Planning in the North Sea

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Icon showing a cargo ship on the sea.

Developing underwater noise management strategies for the North Sea

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Promoting on-shore power systems in North Sea ports

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Catalysing North Sea Hydrogen Valley Ports

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Accelerating offshore storage and systems integration among SMEs

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Projects in the VB programme period (2014-2020)

Decommissioning and repowering of ageing offshore wind farms

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Illustration of two wind turbines and waves.

Decarbonising small to medium sized ports in the North Sea Region

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Large ship docked at a port and a shining sun.

Using DNA to monitor the health of marine ecosystems

Building innovation capacities in offshore windpower supply chains

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Two wind turbines and a man wearing a helmet.

Keeping tabs on underwater noise in the North Sea

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A dolphin jumping above water.

Enhancing operational efficiencies for medium-sized ports

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A large crane next to a ship.

Cooperating on maritime spatial planning in the North Sea

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Planning document with an arrow and crosses.

North Sea Wrecks

Uncovering the toxic legacy of war in the North Sea

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Accelerating and scaling up ocean energy in the North Sea

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Illustration of a large wave in the ocean.

Greening the blue economy through emerging blue markets.

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Periscope emerging above waves.

Building skills for a sustainable blue economy.

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Promoting wind-assisted shipping technologies.

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Illustration of a sailing vessel being propelled by wind.

Top image: Charlie Cheswick/Getty images via Canva.com
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