The recent review of the regulations pertaining to pollution prevention in the shipping industry, including the Ship-Source Pollution Directive, the Ship Recycling Regulation, and the Environmental Liability Directive is coming under the scrutiny of the shipping industry within and outside Europe. Whilst these directives firmlyRead More…

After decades of intense negotiations, the UN finalised on Saturday the international treaty for the protection of high seas biodiversity. Belgian shipowners applaud the historic move and congratulate the Belgian government’s active role in the development and finalisation of the agreement. “Belgian shipping represents aRead More…

Exactly a year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. This major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War plunged Europe and the rest of the world into an energy and food crisis. This invasion surprised many who thought that armed conflicts of this degree would nowadays not be possible on EuropeanRead More…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (6th Edition, 2022). SeaTalk had an interview with Rudi Vander Eyken, Head of IT and Innovation at tanker shipping company Euronav, a company that he describes as “young, dynamic and fast-growing”. Rudi has been working in the maritimeRead More…

With the year coming to an end, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association and its member companies would like to send you our sincerest greetings for the coming year. “In 2022, despite the many challenges brought about the invasion of Ukraine, the continued disruptions of theRead More…

At the joint event today at the International Maritime Organisation, representatives from Belgium, Namibia and the Belgian shipping sector presented the green hydrogen project. The event was held on the occasion of the 79th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). On behalf bothRead More…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (5th Edition, 2022). Vincent and Pierre Durot are two brothers at the helm of Antwerp-based shipping company Boeckmans. They are the fourth generation in this family business that was founded in 1935, and has grown into one ofRead More…

On the occasion of the World Maritime Day, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA) launches the latest update of its study that examines the economic importance of shipping to Belgium. Using key economic figures up until 2020, this 7th edition of the “Economic Impact StudyRead More…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (4th Edition, 2022). Helga Van Noten used to stay regularly with her grandparents, in a flat on the Scheldt quays. The ships stirred the little girl’s curiosity. What is their destination, who are the people on board…? NoRead More…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (3rd Edition, 2022). SeaTalk visited Wilfried Lemmens, director of the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV – Koninklijke Belgische Redersvereniging), just as Putin invaded Ukraine. Because so many Ukrainians work on board Belgian ships, the phone was ringing offRead More…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association, the Antwerp Maritime Academy and CMB.TECH cordially invites you to their activity tent during the Tall Ships Races in Antwerp from 22-24 July. What are the Tall Ships Races? More than 40 largest sailing ships in the world will gatherRead More…

On this Day of the Seafarer, we’ve asked some of Ukrainian seafarers to share their stories with the world. Earlier in May, Belgian shipowners set up a shelter for Ukrainian seafarers who are unable to return home after their mission, to reunite with their familyRead More…

It was a huge victory for the environment today when the Belgian Federal Parliament voted for the implementation of the “International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea“. Known simply as the HNSRead More…

At the closed-door public-private event yesterday co-organised by the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association and the Getting to Zero Coalition, participants discussed how the EU could drive shipping’s transition to zero emission in Europe and globally through a dedicated Ocean Fund, Contracts for Difference, and GreenRead More…

A closed-door public-private discussion on the decarbonisation of shipping, followed by networking drinks. Tueday 31 May 2022 13:00 – 16:00 CEST Radisson RED, Brussels Guest Speakers Kasper Søgaard, Managing Director and Head of Institutional Strategy and Development, Global Maritime Forum (Moderator) Wilfried Lemmens, Managing Director, RoyalRead More…

To celebrate the first international day of women in maritime on 18 May as decided by the IMO last year, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association has featured a woman nominee each day since 13 May also to mark the 10th anniversary of WISTA Belgium. “BothRead More…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association has opened a temporary shelter where Ukrainian seafarers can reunite with their families who are fleeing the war-torn country after it has been invaded by Russia. Located in Hoboken, south of the city of Antwerp, the empty office building wasRead More…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association has signed a statement together with other leading shipowning associations condemning the attack on Ukraine: Statement signed by leading Shipping Associations: We, as leading shipping associations, condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s on-going war and invasion of the sovereign stateRead More…

Elle De Soomer, Head of legal affairs, shipping policy & security at the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association takes a critical look at the EU Directive 2004/35/CE on Environmental Liability (ELD) regarding environmental damage from shipping accidents, which are exempt at this moment. While it canRead More…

After months of being trapped at sea due to the pandemic, the current war in Ukraine is holding hundreds of thousands of seafarers hostage from the global merchant fleet. There are indeed many seafarers of both Ukrainian and Russian nationalities working on board ships. ManyRead More…