The increasingly intensive use of the North Sea is driving a greater demand for information about the current and future situation on, above, below, and in the water. The facilities needed to meet this demand for information are still in their infancy in the North Sea. This presents a significant digitalization challenge. On this page, we explain how Rijkswaterstaat is contributing to this effort.
The North Sea is a hub of activity
The North Sea is one of the most intensively used seas in the world. It is home to major shipping and aviation routes, as well as unique natural areas. Fishing activities take place, and oil, gas, and sand are extracted. Military exercises are conducted. Pipelines and cables run along the seabed. Additionally, more and more offshore wind farms are appearing along the coast.

The need for information about the North Sea is growing
This intensive use puts significant pressure on the North Sea. To facilitate all these activities while keeping the North Sea safe, livable, and accessible, we need much more information about its usage and condition than is currently available. Developments in the North Sea are progressing rapidly, and the complexity is increasing. This leads to a growing demand for information, as well as a greater need for communication.
Standardization and uniformity in the IV at sea program
Under the initiative Information Provision (IV) at Sea, the Central Information Provision (CIV) of Rijkswaterstaat is developing the necessary facilities to meet this growing demand for information and communication. This includes sensors that collect crucial data, mounting points for those sensors, and services for data distribution.
The IV at Sea program consists of a collection of projects, each contributing in its own way to providing information about the North Sea and its usage. The program focuses on a standardized and uniform approach to integrating data-driven products and information services for the North Sea. This approach helps reduce costs and prevents each stakeholder from having to develop solutions independently.
Implementation partner for the Offshore wind Energy Program
The foundation of the IV at Sea program is the Maritime Information Provision Service Point (MIVSP). Through this project, Rijkswaterstaat develops, operates, and manages the physical and digital infrastructure required to collect and distribute data in and around offshore wind farms established under the Offshore Wind Energy program.
Standardizing and integrating digital research and monitoring techniques is also part of the IV at Sea program. In this way, Rijkswaterstaat supports its coordinating role in the following research and monitoring programs:
- Monitoring and Research for Nature Enhancement and Species Protection (MONS) – Commissioned by the North Sea Consultation, focusing on the effects of energy, food, and nature transitions.
- Offshore Wind Ecological Program (Wozep) – Commissioned by the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, investigating the ecological effects of offshore wind energy.
- Monitoring and Research Program on Maritime Safety for Offshore Wind (MOSWOZ) – Commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, assessing the impact of offshore wind energy on maritime safety.
Additionally, through the Digitalization of Ecological Monitoring (DEM) project—commissioned by the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature—we enhance ecological monitoring by the Dutch government using digital tools, methodologies, and techniques, making it more efficient, sustainable, and manageable.