Bibliotheek

The Antwerp-based family business Fast Lines Belgium is a well-known logistic and maritime actor in Belgium and abroad. Besides its HQ in Antwerp, the company has subsidiaries in the UK, Ireland, and Poland. This international character is also evident in their cosy office at the Scheldekaaien, where employees of various nationalities can be found. Like the Polish Iga Cierpiel (27), Shipping & Sustainability Engineer. She’s been developing her maritime career for some time now, and she’s in charge of making all services offered by Fast Lines more sustainable.

It’s not just the employees on board that matter, if you want to sail the right course as a maritime company.

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.

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”.

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).

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 of the largest independent shipping agencies in the Benelux, with offices in Antwerp and Rotterdam. While this is still the core business of the company, its activities have expanded over the years: they have purchased their own ships and now offer an A to Z service. SeaTalk met with Pierre (40), the youngest of the two managers. He talks about his passion for the maritime business and the challenges he faces as an entrepreneur.

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…? No one in her family was active in the maritime sector, so she lacked a stepping stone to enter this world.

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 off the hook. In these dramatic moments, we managed to slip in for an interview.