After a year and a half at the quay in Zeebrugge, Belgica II, the flagship of the Belgian marine scientific research, will be able to set sail again in the spring of 2026. The restart follows a conditional agreement between the Belgian government and the French shipping company Genavir, ending a complex legal impasse that had kept the research vessel chained since mid-2024.
The dispute largely revolved around the interpretation of the government contract and the legal and social status of the crew. Under the guidance of Astrea partners Ruud De Houwer and Philippe Van Wesemael, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) and Minister for Public Action and Modernisation Vanessa Matz reached an agreement with the shipping company. This will allow the Belgica II to be used again for scientific expeditions, training, and monitoring of marine ecosystems in the North Sea and beyond. The ship will also be able to play a greater role in the maritime security of Belgian and European sea areas, as it will now be deployed for an additional 80 days per year for the Belgian navy.
The agreement not only means the resumption of important scientific expeditions, but also sends a strong signal of international cooperation and constructive dialogue in complex contractual cases.
Astrea has assisted the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Federal Department of Science Policy (BELSPO) in this case from the outset and, among other things, ensured that during the proceedings, Genavir was already ordered to carry out the necessary maintenance on the ship. Our firm also advised the Belgian government during the negotiations for the relaunch of the Belgica II.
Would you like to know more about our role in this case or our expertise in transport and maritime law? Please feel free to contact us.