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The EU Ship Recycling Regulation needs “major surgery”, but the current proposals offer little more than a sticking plaster, says Gudrun Janssens Head of Environmental & Technical Affairs, Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association on the latest GMS Podcast.

After a six-month stay in the Port of Antwerp since 12 September, where she received the final outfitting of its medical and IT facilities, the Global Mercy – the world’s only purpose-built, civilian-funded charity hospital ship – will soon depart at the end of February for field services where she is needed around the world.

Shipping is prepared to play its part in achieving the ambitious goals laid out in the European Green Deal. To do so, it needs effective policy instruments in place to simultaneously stimulate research and investments in alternative fuels and encourage emission reduction measures.

According to the annual piracy report published recently by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), piracy and armed robbery at sea last year has reached an all-time low since 1994. But the threat remains.

Following the inoculation of foreign and Belgian seafarers since June, Belgium is once again spearheading a booster vaccine campaign for these maritime workers starting 7 December.

Next week, the IMO Assembly from 6-15 December will vote for the members of the executive body of the UN organisation for maritime. Belgium is standing for re-election in the IMO Council in Category C (States with special interests in maritime transport or navigation).

This week, as the 77th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) takes place after an intensive discussion at the recent COP26 that led to the Glasgow Climate Pact, Belgian shipping reiterates how crucial it is for the MEPC 77 to deliver concrete proposals for action.

Last Saturday at the world’s largest gathering of shipping companies, regulators and policymakers at the ICS Conference on Shaping the Future of Shipping at COP26 in Glasgow, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association joined in the discussions on how to move forward together in making sure that shipping will play its part in drastically reducing its 3% share of all global greenhouse gas emissions.

An interview with Catrien Scheers, chairwoman of Belgian shipping company Fast Group, about her recent participation in the AGM of WISTA International in Hamburg. In the overwhelmingly male environment of shipping, Catrien has often been nicknamed ‘the leading lady of breakbulk’ for her well-known tenacity and acute business sense.