“How can European Shipping lead the way in global whale conservancy? “, 19 September, Brussels
At the European Shipping Summit, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association invites all summit participants to take part in a 30-minutes awareness session by the Great Whales Conservancy (GWC). All around the world hundreds, possibly thousands of whales are being unintentionally killed and injured by shipsRead More…
“Setting a New Compass: Embracing the Ship Recycling Revolution”, 19 September, Brussels
The entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention in 2025 marks a pivotal step by nations to ensure the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. In the race to safeguarding a sustainable planet, the common international standard in ship recycling is also setting a newRead More…
At the Helm of Boluda Towage Belgium: Steven De Nijs
The following interview was published in Seatalk (8th Edition, 2023). It’s not just the employees on board that matter, if you want to sail the right course as a maritime company. Steven De Nijs (46) has been at the helm of Boluda Towage Belgium forRead More…
Belgian shipowners applaud historic climate deal for shipping to achieve net zero “in or near 2050”
The Royal Belgian Shipowners Association (RBSA) is positive about the net zero goal achieved today in the plenary meeting of the 80th Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The 175 Member States reached a historic agreement that “in or near”Read More…
Dutch and Belgian Shipowners call for clear signal from IMO: Decide Now on the Route to Zero
In view of the forthcoming IMO’s MEPC 80, Belgian and Dutch shipowners join forces to call on countries worldwide to decide on a clear, simple and ambitious route towards Net Zero shipping by 2050. Next week, the 80th meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment ProtectionRead More…
Five days will determine 25 years of climate efforts
This following Op-Ed was published in the Lloyd’s List on 28 June 2023. Decisions made by the IMO this summer will shape the future of the industry’s efforts in tackling climate change. It is crucial for the IMO to embrace its responsibility and lead theRead More…
RBSA: Bangladesh’s ratification of the Hong Kong Convention is a major milestone in industry’s drive towards green shipping
Belgian shipowners, represented by the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA), applaud the approval by the Government of Bangladesh yesterday to ratify the Hong Kong Convention. This moves the world one step closer to the entry into force of a common global standard to recycle end-of-lifeRead More…
RBSA Position Paper: “EU’s maritime pollution prevention efforts should never lead to unjust criminalisation”
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…
Belgian shipowners applaud new UN High Seas Treaty and support Belgium’s bid for new BBNJ Secretariat
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…
The Heightened Need to Fight Piracy amidst the current Energy Crisis and War in Ukraine
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…
Euronav: A Unique Approach
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…
Season’s Greetings from the Future of Belgian Shipping
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…
MEPC 79: Belgium and Namibia join forces in green hydrogen production to hasten shipping decarbonisation
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…
From Shipping Agent to Shipowner
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…
Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association launches “Economic Impact Study on the Belgian shipping cluster”
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…
Maritime Lady Helga Van Noten
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…
Zero-Emission Shipping is An Opportunity
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…
#SeaYou at the Tall Ships Races in Antwerp, 22-24 July
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…
#SeafarerJourney: Interview with Ukrainian seafarers
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…
Belgian Shipowners Applaud Parliament’s Approval of the IMO HNS Convention
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…