The following interview was published in Seatalk (9th Edition, 2023). In the complex arena of global trade, with shipping as its crucial backbone, it’s essential to have enterprises that not only brave the waves, but also lead the way towards a more sustainable future. CMBLees Meer…

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 alsoLees Meer…

At the invitation of the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA), Michael Fishbach, Executive Director of the Great Whale Conservancy spoke to the European shipping industry at the recent European Shipping Summit. “To protect the great whales from ship strikes and to allow them to continueLees Meer…

The question was in the mind of every participant at the panel discussion jointly organised by the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association and BIMCO at this week’s European Shipping Summit. Representing the Indian government was Mr Shri Rajesh Kumar Sinha, who emphasized the importance of theLees Meer…

At the European Shipping Summit, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association invites all summit participants to take part in a 30-minutes awareness session by the Great Whales Conservancy (GWC). All around the world hundreds, possibly thousands of whales are being unintentionally killed and injured by shipsLees Meer…

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 newLees Meer…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (8th Edition, 2023). It’s not just the employees on board that matter, if you want to sail the right course as a maritime company. Steven De Nijs (46) has been at the helm of Boluda Towage Belgium forLees Meer…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners Association (RBSA) is positive about the net zero goal achieved today in the plenary meeting of the 80th Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The 175 Member States reached a historic agreement that “in or near”Lees Meer…

In view of the forthcoming IMO’s MEPC 80, Belgian and Dutch shipowners join forces to call on countries worldwide to decide on a clear, simple and ambitious route towards Net Zero shipping by 2050. Next week, the 80th meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment ProtectionLees Meer…

This following Op-Ed was published in the Lloyd’s List on 28 June 2023. Decisions made by the IMO this summer will shape the future of the industry’s efforts in tackling climate change. It is crucial for the IMO to embrace its responsibility and lead theLees Meer…

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-lifeLees Meer…

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. Whilst these directives firmlyLees Meer…

After decades of intense negotiations, the UN finalised on Saturday the international treaty for the protection of high seas biodiversity. Belgian shipowners applaud the historic move and congratulate the Belgian government’s active role in the development and finalisation of the agreement. “Belgian shipping represents aLees Meer…

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 EuropeanLees Meer…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (6th Edition, 2022). 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”. Rudi has been working in the maritimeLees Meer…

With the year coming to an end, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association and its member companies would like to send you our sincerest greetings for the coming year. “In 2022, despite the many challenges brought about the invasion of Ukraine, the continued disruptions of theLees Meer…

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). On behalf bothLees Meer…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (5th Edition, 2022). 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 ofLees Meer…

On the occasion of the World Maritime Day, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA) launches the latest update of its study that examines the economic importance of shipping to Belgium. Using key economic figures up until 2020, this 7th edition of the “Economic Impact StudyLees Meer…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (4th Edition, 2022). 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…? NoLees Meer…

The following interview was published in Seatalk (3rd Edition, 2022). 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 offLees Meer…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association, the Antwerp Maritime Academy and CMB.TECH cordially invites you to their activity tent during the Tall Ships Races in Antwerp from 22-24 July. What are the Tall Ships Races? More than 40 largest sailing ships in the world will gatherLees Meer…

On this Day of the Seafarer, we’ve asked some of Ukrainian seafarers to share their stories with the world. Earlier in May, Belgian shipowners set up a shelter for Ukrainian seafarers who are unable to return home after their mission, to reunite with their familyLees Meer…

It was a huge victory for the environment today when the Belgian Federal Parliament voted for the implementation of the “International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea“. Known simply as the HNSLees Meer…

At the closed-door public-private event yesterday co-organised by the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association and the Getting to Zero Coalition, participants discussed how the EU could drive shipping’s transition to zero emission in Europe and globally through a dedicated Ocean Fund, Contracts for Difference, and GreenLees Meer…

A closed-door public-private discussion on the decarbonisation of shipping, followed by networking drinks. Tueday 31 May 2022 13:00 – 16:00 CEST Radisson RED, Brussels Guest Speakers Kasper Søgaard, Managing Director and Head of Institutional Strategy and Development, Global Maritime Forum (Moderator) Wilfried Lemmens, Managing Director, RoyalLees Meer…

To celebrate the first international day of women in maritime on 18 May as decided by the IMO last year, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association has featured a woman nominee each day since 13 May also to mark the 10th anniversary of WISTA Belgium. “BothLees Meer…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association has opened a temporary shelter where Ukrainian seafarers can reunite with their families who are fleeing the war-torn country after it has been invaded by Russia. Located in Hoboken, south of the city of Antwerp, the empty office building wasLees Meer…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association has signed a statement together with other leading shipowning associations condemning the attack on Ukraine: Statement signed by leading Shipping Associations: We, as leading shipping associations, condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s on-going war and invasion of the sovereign stateLees Meer…

Elle De Soomer, Head of legal affairs, shipping policy & security at the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association takes a critical look at the EU Directive 2004/35/CE on Environmental Liability (ELD) regarding environmental damage from shipping accidents, which are exempt at this moment. While it canLees Meer…

After months of being trapped at sea due to the pandemic, the current war in Ukraine is holding hundreds of thousands of seafarers hostage from the global merchant fleet. There are indeed many seafarers of both Ukrainian and Russian nationalities working on board ships. ManyLees Meer…

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. Ms Janssens believes the European Commission has “lostLees Meer…

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 FebruaryLees Meer…

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. To thisLees Meer…

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. The report shows that in 2021, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre recordedLees Meer…

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. “The booster vaccine campaign is important because seafarers spend long days at sea in closed groups. A COVID-19 outbreakLees Meer…

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). AsLees Meer…

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 concreteLees Meer…

With Belgium standing for re-election to the IMO Council in category C (special interests in maritime transport or navigation), Belgian shipowners voice their strong support for the country’s candidacy. As the beating heart of maritime Europe, Belgium is uniquely placed to connect both Europe andLees Meer…

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 sureLees Meer…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association is part of the Waterborne Technology Platform, which welcomes the applicability of the EU Innovation fund to deploy highly innovative technologies that can bring significant emission reductions in the waterborne transport sector. On 26 October, the European Commission launched theLees Meer…

Below is 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-knownLees Meer…

As a proud and long-established maritime nation, Belgium and its shipping industry have been spearheading many of the innovations and developments in recent years. This World Maritime Day, Belgian shipping looks back at some of the recent milestones achieved as Belgium presents its candidature toLees Meer…

The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association says the EMTER report provides a useful overview on the current status quo for the sector to move forward towards Europe’s carbon neutrality ambition. Launched on 1 September by the EEA and EMSA, the EMTER report acknowledges that maritime transportLees Meer…

Following the successful COVID-19 vaccination of Belgian seafarers that started on 2 June, Belgium is going boldly beyond by moving a level up with a proposal by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the North Sea, Mr Vincent van Quickenborne, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’Lees Meer…

For 25 June, Day of the Seafarer, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association has produced a series of interview videos to honour seafarers for the vital role that they play in sustaining the global supply chain.

The Waterborne Technology Platform welcomes the Partnership as an opportunity to transform waterborne transport for the benefit of future generations.

Belgium has officially started its vaccination campaign for seafarers this morning in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and the North Sea, Vincent Van Quickenborne.

Over the past three years BeHydro has developed, produced and extensively tested a dual-fuel (diesel-hydrogen) engine with a capacity of 1 MW. Based on this technology, larger engines of up to 10 MW can also be produced. Therefore, BeHydro can provide solutions for a wideLees Meer…

20 May 2020 – Belgium is in the vanguard of wind energy development, having created much offshore wind turbine capacity in recent years. These high-tech, fast-evolving activities are a spin-off of our dredging industry. The Belgian hydraulic engineering industry also invests in another energy ofLees Meer…

May 2020 – During the Board meeting last week, the Belgian shipowners welcomed the EU Commission’s determination to proceed with the European Green Deal as planned. However, as these times are unprecedented, the Belgian Shipowners’ Association assumes that there might be some delay, because ofLees Meer…

RBSA joins the International Chamber of Shipping in calling all member companies, shipowners, managers, port operators and any relevant national stakeholder to encourage ships captains to sound their horns when in port at 12h00 local time on 1 May 2020. The move is to celebrateLees Meer…

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 a pandemic and governments worldwide have taken wide-ranging measures to contain the spread of the virus. The transport sector has a crucial role to play in the supply of goods, in particular medicines,Lees Meer…

Since 1 January 2020, ships are prohibited from using fuel containing more than 0.5% sulphur. The measure stems from new international regulations but will be much broader in Belgium. It is one of the action points in the Sustainable Shipping Plan that Minister De BackerLees Meer…

On 29 November, Belgium was successfully re-elected in Category C of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) during the 31st session of the IMO General Assembly held in London. Singapore placed first in Category C with 153 voices, Belgium is ranked 10th withLees Meer…

  Today, India became the 15th Party State to the HKC, fulfilling at once one of the three criteria for the Convention’s entry into force. It is another significant step towards achieving more safe and environmentally sound ship recycling globally, as India is a major ship-recycling centre that canLees Meer…

Last Thursday, the Maritime Industry Decarbonisation Council (MIDC) and CMB were invited to enter into discussion with members of the EU parliament during an ECSA event, hosted by the Danish MEP Ms P Weiss. The managing director of the Royal Belgian Shipowners Association (RBSA), MrLees Meer…

According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s 2018 Annual Report on Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships, the region evidenced continued levels of violence with 130 crew taken hostage and 78 kidnapped for ransom. Nigeria alone reported 41 crew kidnappings during the last three monthsLees Meer…

At the Climate Action Summit at the United Nations that took place on 23 September in New York, Belgian North Sea Minister Philippe De Backer (Open Vld) led a meeting on the importance of oceans and the maritime economy in the fight against climate change.Lees Meer…

The annual turnover of the Belgian merchant navy, including dredging and towage, amounts to € 8,140, with an added value of € 2,488 million. In terms of employment, our industry generates                  16, 242 FTE.   However, contributing to overall economic performance is by no means theLees Meer…

CMB has won the Port of Antwerp Sustainability Award. With this award the organisers of the contest wish to highlight sustainable initiatives undertaken by port users and stimulate sustainable economic practices. CMB received the award for their hydrogen powered passenger vessel, Hydroville. The Hydroville isLees Meer…

RBSA welcomes the adoption of a General Approach on the proposal for a European Maritime Single Window environment by Transport Ministers yesterday. European co-legislators have been working intensively to reduce the administrative burden shipping faces. This burden stems from today’s unharmonised and inefficient reporting obligations andLees Meer…

“Attempts to mitigate the stricter sulfur limit and to postpone the deadline for implementation have failed. We are happy about that, “says Ludovic Laffineur, the sustainability specialist at the RBSA. This week, the Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came upLees Meer…

Wilfried Lemmens, Managing Director of RBSA, had the chance to fly aboard an aircraft equipped with a sniffer sensor to detect emissions from ships. The sniffer sensor is capable of measuring sulphur (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the exhaust plumes from ships.The supply ofLees Meer…

The Maritime Industry Decarbonisation Council (MIDC) held a brainstorm session (engineers only :-)) hosted by the Belgian dreding company DEME. The main subjects of discussion were electrification, hybridization and alternative fuels for shippping. There was an intensive and fruitful debate on the pros and consLees Meer…

Just as in the latest inventories, Belgium scored the maximum points in the annual statement “Flag State Performance Table 2017/2018” by the International Shipping Federation International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) publishes. Only 10 flag States have achieved the best possible rating. Maritime safety, working conditions, environmentalLees Meer…

Every three years, the RBSA updates the initial study from 2001 monitoring the maritime cluster and focusing on three subsectors, i.e. the merchant navy, towing and hydraulic engineering. The present edition also delves into the economic impact of the renewable energy sector.

In response to the threats arising from the conflict in Yemen, BIMCO, ICS and INTERTANKO have published interim guidance on maritime security in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. Shipowners and operators should be aware of new threat patterns in the area.

EXMAR has entered into an agreement with Statoil ASA from Norway on 2 environment-friendly Newbuilding 79,500 m³ gas carriers to transport LPG in a sustainable manner basis a long-term commitment. Both vessels are to be delivered within 2020 and will be compliant with the mostLees Meer…

Euronav  and Gener8 announced that they have reached an agreement on a stock-for-stock merger for the entire issued and outstanding share capital of Gener8, which would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Euronav. The combined company will have a fleet of 75 crude tankers, including 44 VLCCsLees Meer…

RBSA is very pleased that Belgium has been re-elected as a member of the IMO Council. Belgium is the world’s 17th largest register of shipping and has a tonnage controlled fleet of 23,5 billion TDW or 1.23% of the world total in 2017. Therefore itLees Meer…

There was enormous interest in the official presentation of the Hydroville on November 30, at a traditional christening ceremony conducted by Bishop Johan Bonny, with Deputy Prime Minister Kris Peeters, Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois and State Secretary Philippe De Backer in attendance. Somewhat less traditionalLees Meer…

VISION The MIDC bridges the gap between shipowners, charterers, shippers, equipment suppliers, ship builders, the research community, banks, classification societies and oil majors to ensure the development of an evidence-based policy on GHGs. The platform will enable the sector to reduce its CO2 emissions inLees Meer…

The Secretary of State for the North Sea Philippe De Backer (Open Vld), together with the Marshall and Solomon Islands and the International Maritime Organization, fights against the global greenhouse gas emissions in navigation. “Everybody has to contribute to this fight against climate change. ILees Meer…

Mohamed Abdi Hassan, dubbed the Somali pirate king, has been sentenced to twenty years in prison in his absence. Mohamed Abdi Hassan has been convicted for his role in connection with the piracy on board of the Belgian ship Pompeï in 2009. Fellow Somalian MohamedLees Meer…

In the European Shipowners’ seminar on CO2 reductions in the shipping industry one message was clear: in order to achieve CO2 reductions across the world merchant fleet, a combination of different measures is needed. “In the seminar this week, they discussed with stakeholders and EuropeanLees Meer…

From the 13th until the 15th of July the Antwerp Maritime Academy will be participating in the prestigious Monaco Solar Boat Challenge. Since 2008 students and teachers from the Marine Engineering department of the Antwerp Maritime Academy (HZS) are working on the development of aLees Meer…

The second edition of The Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships has been released. The latest practical advice has been compiled by the joint industry group, which is led by BIMCO and now includes new members OCIMF and IUMI, as well as the original contributorsLees Meer…

2016 proved to be another challenging year for Belgian shipowners, faced with the sluggish growth of world trade, as well as a continuing unbalance between supply and demand in most shipping industry segments. Entrepreneurship and creativity are still very much required to ride out theseLees Meer…

On July 14th, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’Association hosted in accordance with traditional practice, a reception followed by a lunch on the occasion of the Annual General Meeting taking place in the Royal Belgian Yacht Club. This year, we had the honour to welcome  Belgian MinisterLees Meer…

On Sunday, the 18th of June, the Belgian frigate Louise-Marie has joined EUNAVFOR MED and she will continue to support the operations until the 22nd of July. This deployment is the third time the Belgian Navy provides an asset to support Operation Sophia. The commanding officerLees Meer…

Decarbonisation is an issue that calls for urgent action: increased efficiency, technological innovation, access to finance, clear regulations are topics that should be tackled through a dedicated platform. In 2016 the RBSA took the initiative to set up a platform where all stakeholders involved can orient around steps in the decarbonisation pathway.