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The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) welcomes the Flemish Government’s decision to mobilise up to €2 billion in support of sustainable industrial transition projects, as announced today by Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele at the “Klimaatsprong voor de industrie” event organised by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).

The Royal Belgian Shipowners Association (KBRV) applauds the outcomes of the Hamburg North Sea Summit on 26 January and welcomes the renewed political commitment to accelerate offshore wind development in the North Sea, including the new capacity targets and investment pact.

From 21-22 October, Antwerp will host the annual summit of the Global Maritime Forum.

On the Day of the Seafarer, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) joins the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in supporting the 2025 theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship.” This global initiative underscores the vital importance of fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment for all seafarers. Diversity, equity, and inclusion—including the empowerment of women and other underrepresented groups—are essential for the long-term success of the maritime industry.

At the event organised on the Day of the Seafarer by the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) at the Antwerp Maritime Academy with the support of the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV), we interviewed some of the speakers on the future of the maritime sector.

The KBRV attended the event organised on the Day of the Seafarer by the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) at the Antwerp Maritime Academy, opened by Paul Van Tigchelt, Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and the North Sea.

Published in the latest edition of the European Transport Law (ETL) Review, the position paper entitled "Charting Uncertain Seas: Legal Ambiguities and Compliance Strategies in EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime Regulations" explores the legal and operational challenges introduced by the EU's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) on shipping, and the FuelEU Maritime initiative.

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.

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.