Technopolis’ expo Zeekracht opens with Jan De Nul support

In this exhibition, you will be at the seaside one moment, the next moment will be at the bottom of the ocean and a heartbeat later in the harbour of the future. All this thanks to an amazing piece of technology developed in cooperation with partners in the industry.

Zeekracht is a fantastic collaboration project. For this pioneering exhibition, Technopolis partnered up with Jan De Nul, CMB, DEME, Port of Antwerp, the Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen, UGent, Vliz, Flux50 and Belgian Offshore Platform. Jan De Nul provided both funding and contents, just like CMB, DEME, Port of Antwerp, KBIN and UGent. VLIZ, BOP & Flux50 made sure the scientific side of the expo was accurate

Julie De Nul, Director of Jan De Nul Group: “We are very keen on assisting, training and retraining all our colleagues. But we also look to the future; we include our youth who will be available for the labour market of tomorrow. As a global leader, we are constantly searching for enthusiastic people who want to devote themselves to work with us and write a strong story for the future, for the world of tomorrow – in an energetic symbiosis between Mankind and Nature, supported by science and innovation. We are faced with major challenges and, with our contribution toward this educational expo at Technopolis, we want to show visitors what we stand for as hydraulic engineers. Take the plunge and discover our innovative achievements and thought processes to make our blue planet sustainable and armed for the future, for you, for us and for coming generations!”

Stephane Berghmans, CEO Technopolis: “Zeekracht is the first expo in Technopolis where, as it were, you step into the future, and you see with your own eyes and experience how we can make this future more sustainable with science and innovation. This wouldn’t have been possible without the financial support and contents provided by our partners, all pioneers in innovation in Flanders. We hope that, together, we will be able to inspire a lot of children and youngsters to contribute towards our “blue economy”. Be honest, which occupations appeal more to the imagination nowadays that marine biology, windfarm designer or seaweed farmer? Whatever they choose later, our message is crystal clear: the best pilots for our future are not all on shore. Everyone can and should contribute towards a better world. Therefore, Zeekracht is an appropriate extension to the ambitious project The Blue Cluster.”

Immersive digital space for a total experience

Zeekracht is the first expo at Technopolis that submerges you in an immersive digital environment in a future where science and technology are central.

Via projections and interactive floors and walls, it feels like you dive into the sea and go for a walk on the ocean floor where fish swim around your feet and follow you around. When you look further afield, you see floating solar panels, underwater farms and bubble curtains protecting porpoises against underwater noise. In short, you have never experienced the sea and the harbour like this!

Science and Innovation Build with Nature

Technopolis and all their partners tell a story about the future where science and innovation harness the sea in an optimal manner, while protecting it at the same time. Important themes like shipping, renewable energy and food are also involved.

Zeekracht offers an answer to a series of United Nations sustainability targets (the SDG’s, or Sustainable Development Goals) and aims at making the world a better place by 2030.

The visitor learns how important reliable and sustainable energy is (Goal 7), why action against climate change is really needed (Goal 13), how the sea can be used more sustainably while caring for life in the oceans (Goal 14) and involves quite a few stakeholders (Goal 17).