In May 2022, Minister Jetten visited the Offshore Expertise Center of Rijkswaterstaat.
[This is a video from Rijkswaterstaat, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, titled "Opening the Offshore Expertise Centre, May 16, 2022."]
[Camiel van der Hout, Chair of the Maritime IV Service Point Committee (MIVSP), Senior Policy Advisor for Offshore Wind at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy]
EZK is the client for the Maritime Information Service Point (MIVSP). The Offshore Expertise Centre is part of the MIVSP and was officially opened today by Minister Rob Jetten.
[Minister Rob Jetten arrives and is welcomed by the team from the Offshore Expertise Centre.]
[Ron Kolkman, CIO Rijkswaterstaat and Chief Engineer Director of Central Information Services (CIV)]
It's extremely impressive what we've all seen. Impressive in terms of the knowledge we've all acquired for working at sea. But especially impressive is how people are able to collaborate.
[Happy people welcome the minister to the presentation room. A presentation about the North Sea.]
[Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy]
Yes, from the coast, the North Sea may seem like a vast expanse where almost nothing happens, but if you look closely, it's very busy. We want all the activities taking place there that are important for the Dutch economy, but also for Dutch nature, to be given the best possible place. And by using digitalization and data intelligently, we as the Netherlands can make the most of the North Sea. Yes, it's fantastic to see that in the Expertise Center, we can already test all the equipment we use in the North Sea on land on a small scale. That's cheaper and easier, so we can then really put it to good use in the North Sea.
[An offshore wind farm.]
[Erwin Stam, Landscape Architect]
In creating the design, we opted for a nautical design language, incorporating raised ground bodies like dunes, along with dune-like planting. In the center is the Nautical Test Basin, which serves as an educational tool for teaching about buoys and sensors.
[Gerrit-Jan van der Toorn, Rijkswaterstaat/CIV/Department Head, Shipping Traffic Management, Development]
We essentially have three types of sensors. We have ecological sensors, so we ensure that birds can safely fly through a wind farm. A signal is sent 48 hours in advance. Then the wind farm can be gradually scaled down, and alternative energy generated on land can be switched on. We monitor whether and how many bats fly back and forth between the Netherlands and England. We have a whole army of sensors from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), which can be used to assess the potential climate impact of wind farms. And of course, it also has to be safe for shipping. So that large radar up there is a nautical radar, and we use it to monitor for shipping risks. But we also check that no oversized ships will sail through such a wind farm.
[The group enters the test facility. A presentation on a screen with a nautical map.]
[Jacco Kuijt, Department Head, RWS/CIV/Shipping Traffic Management Services]
I'm standing here, especially proud of our people who have made this happen again. Not just the visit, of course, but everything that preceded it. It started a long time ago. And if you look at what we have now, it's fantastic that we were able to present this to the minister, including the vision for the future, which is of course very important. Yes, it gives us tremendous confidence that we will achieve the complete digitization of the North Sea.]
[An employee in safety gear explains. The group enters the top of the test facility. An employee in safety gear demonstrates climbing the tower]
[Camiel van der Hout, Chair of the Maritime IV Service Point Committee (MIVSP), Senior Policy Advisor for Offshore Wind, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy]
All partners present were able to clearly explain the importance of information provision on the North Sea and what it entails.
[Presentations on the initiatives at the OEC.]
[Nicole Kuijpers, Director of the Coast Guard]
Digitalization of the North Sea is also very important for the Coast Guard. We benefit from good information and high-quality sensors, particularly for carrying out our tasks. These are law enforcement, service provision, and maritime-security.
[The minister accepts a contact card and speaks with stakeholders.]
[Wim van Urk, Team Coordinator Marine Policy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management]
I think today, this day, has shown that management and policy are going to become very complex in the coming years. Considering all the challenges facing the North Sea, users will also need excellent information to truly develop a sustainable blue economy at sea. Digitizing the North Sea is an intrinsic part of the transition to a safe, environmentally friendly, climate-resilient blue economy that remains within the ecosystem's boundaries.
[A flag of the Offshore Expertise Centre flutters in the wind. A group of people applauds. The minister speaks with several people.]
[Micky Hoogendijk, Artist]
You might think this environment doesn't fit the environment of an artist who makes bronze sculptures. But what I noticed is that there are similarities. And those are all the threads I encountered. The same threads I use to create my sculptures. "The Ones" is about people. They are all individuals, but we absolutely cannot function without each other. And this project makes that even more clear.
[The minister pulls the fluttering cloth and unveils the artwork. An applause follows.]
[Minister Rob Jetten and artist Micky Hoogendijk pose in front of the artwork. A group of enthusiastic people applauds.]
[The minister's vehicle leaves the site.]
[Images of the test facility towers.]
[Logo of the Dutch government. Rijkswaterstaat. Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.]
[This is a video production by Rijkswaterstaat 2022.]