Maritime services: safe and sustainable use of sea and coast
About this expertise
In short- Monitoring & data
- Offshore installations & marine life
- Water pollution & disasters
- Antifouling & marine growth
- Research methods
From shipping and pollution to offshore gas platforms and wind farms, all maritime activity affects the water environment. WUR studies the effects of human activities on the marine ecosystem. We provide knowledge and data for the maritime sector to contribute to safe and ecologically responsible use of the sea and coast.
Whether it involves offshore wind farms, oil spills from a tanker or ballast water in a ship that can carry many different species from one area to another. All these maritime activities affect ecosystems in and around the sea.
A good understanding of the North Sea and other marine areas requires reliable data on physical, chemical and biological processes. WUR studies how maritime structures such as wind farms, oil and gas platforms and pipelines act as artificial reefs which spawn new communities of fish, shellfish and algae. We also look at the cumulative effects of multiple installations. We explore opportunities to enhance biodiversity in design and management.
We collect and analyse data from ship measurements, sensors and automatic monitoring. In this way, we support safe and sustainable maritime activities and spatial planning at sea. We help minimise environmental risks and promote the recovery of ecosystems after disturbance.
More information
Maritime activities can lead to emissions of oil, metals or chemicals. WUR studies how these substances spread, how they break down and what their effects on the marine ecosystem are. In the case of shipping accidents or oil spills, WUR provides knowledge on risks, distribution and recovery of the nature reserves involved.
Organisms such as algae, mussels and bacteria attach themselves to ship hulls and installations. This phenomenon - marine growth - affects resistance, safety and maintenance, but also plays a role in the distribution of species. WUR investigates how environmentally friendly coatings and new materials can reduce marine growth without damaging the ecosystem.
Our approach combines:
- Field measurements and sampling on ships, platforms and pipelines
- Ecological and chemical analyses of water, sediment and organisms
- Acoustic and optical techniques for underwater observations
- Modelling studies for distribution, risk and recovery scenarios
- Data integration via GIS and online dashboards
Get inspired
Related products and services (3)
Get in touch with our expert
Are you active in offshore energy, shipping, environmental management or disaster response? Contact our expert for collaboration or more information.
dr. EM (Edwin) Foekema, PhD
Researcher Marine Ecology