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Together with the Great Whale Conservancy, the Royal Belgian Shipowners' Association (KBRV) are bringing a life-sized replica of a real female blue whale on a European tour to raise awareness about what the shipping industry and policymakers can do about the high whale fatalities.

In the coming week, the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 81) will meet to address the complex challenge of decarbonising the maritime industry. Surprisingly, amidst the multitude of proposed measures, the simplest solution may yet hold the key to effective decarbonization: implementing a global price on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, argues the Royal Belgian Shipowners' Association (KBRV).

Under Belgium's Rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the North Sea, Paul Van Tigchelt, is hosting a Brussels Conference on the Wellbeing of Seafarers. This ministerial event will take place in Brussels' Egmont Palace on 8 March, International Women’s Day. 

As a major maritime player, Belgium regularly has vessels operating in the Persian Gulf region. The Royal Belgian Shipowners' Association (KBRV) is following the rapidly escalating situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf with the utmost concern. The KBRV is in close and constant contact with its members and the Belgian authorities to guarantee the safety of Belgian shipping in the region.

Together with other European shipowner associations and companies, the Royal Belgian Shipowners' Association (KBRV) met with public officials of the Directorate-General Climate of the European Commission to provide their feedback on the EU ETS for maritime.

At the forthcoming second meeting of the Joint ILO-IMO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element (27-29 February 2024), participants will discuss the follow-up of the resolution on harassment and bullying including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) in the maritime sector.

With the extension of the EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS) to maritime transport in 2024, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association is organising a kick-off info session for its members this coming 27 October. Representatives of the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport will also take part in the event.

The 175 Member States reached a historic agreement that “in or near” 2050 net zero emissions of greenhouse gases from shipping must be achieved. Net zero emissions refers to a 100% reduction across the entire value chain from well to wake.

Belgian and Dutch shipowners’ associations RBSA and KVNR make a compelling appeal to IMO member states to achieve a net zero target for Green House Gas emissions from international shipping by 2050: a 100% reduction across the entire value chain from well to wake.

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 European soil. Especially after a global pandemic that had just brought the whole world to its knees by incapacitating the supply chain of goods and raw material.