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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.

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 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 new direction in which all stakeholders engage in the maritime circular economy

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.

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-life ships.

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.

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.

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).