News & events

In the heart of Europe, Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Zeebrugge represents the transport sector in various aspects: shipping, warehouse logistics, storage & pipelines. The students from Maritime Science were welcomed by Patrick Van Cauwenberghe from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges (PoAB). His insights about the recently merged ports of Antwerp & Bruges, the successful adaptation post-Brexit and the company’s forward-looking approach towards change and innovation left us inspired.

One of the highlights of our visit was the ECS automated warehouse. The future of logistics is already here in Belgium! This facility is able to provide major UK chains like Tesco and Sainsbury's with just-in-time deliveries from across the Channel.

The energy transition conversation is a hot topic nowadays. We went to explore it for ourselves, with a visit at Fluxys LNG terminal. They have committed to help society achieve carbon net-zero through the exploration of new energy molecules such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, alongside their carbon capture initiatives. The first hydrogen projects are already a reality, and with many more on the horizon, we couldn't help but feel a part of history in the making.

Maritime Science students recently visited the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Ostend. This governmental organisation serves as the initial point of contact for distress situations within the maritime zone of the Belgian North Sea. Tasked with a critical role, the MRCC plays a vital part in supervising one of the world's busiest marine areas, ensuring the safety of maritime operations & leisure activities.

In the afternoon, we were granted the exclusive opportunity to step aboard a survey vessel operated by GEOxyz. This ship is built for exploring and charting the depths beneath the sea. The purpose is to pave the way for the future development and maintenance of crucial offshore infrastructure, including underwater cables, pipelines, and wind parks. Achieving this requires extreme precision, even in the most challenging and dynamic conditions. We also witnessed the innovative use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), cutting-edge technology propelling the maritime sector forward.

Check this page again soon to read about the next visit – or sign up to join us yourself for 2024-2025!

Our day began at Damen Yachting, a top-tier innovative manufacturer in the superyacht industry. Every weld, curve, and design choice exudes luxury and class. Damen also has a Shiprepair Wharf in the Port of Vlissingen. Ships are being upgraded in enormous (dry)docks, some of which are covered against all-weather conditions. Photography of the client's ships and manufacturing processes is forbidden. So this visit gave us a truly exclusive opportunity to see it with our own eyes.

During lunch at The Mission to Seafarers we spoke about the critical issue of seafarer welfare, a reminder of the human element behind the industry's success. Discussing the vital support systems for those who sail the seas to keep global trade moving.

In the afternoon we went on board of the LUZON STRAIT, operated by Seatrade, a company instrumental in the global logistics of fresh & frozen foods. The passionate captain spoke in great detail about life on board. Afterwards we toured the cargo holds and machine room. On the quay side we witnessed the intricate logistics involved in delivering bananas, from remote farms to local grocery stores worldwide.

As the maritime industry continues to evolve, the pioneering work of companies like Damen and Seatrade, always looking for new talent to hire - gives incredible opportunity for those who choose the maritime path. 

Boost your own maritime career with a degree in Maritime Science at Ghent University!

Our group's first visit for 2024 was to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. It was a deep dive into one of the most crucial hubs for global trade and logistics. The port, known for its significant impact on international commerce, offered us a firsthand look at the complexities and challenges of maritime operations.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges underwent a transformation from a traditional port into a leading business facilitator. It now focuses on fostering international collaboration, specializing in niche markets, and enhancing its services. This evolution is not just significant for Belgium but has global implications, helping developing ports and nations.

In the afternoon we continued at MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET). Witnessing the seamless flow of colorful containers between ships, cranes, and various types of ground transportation was like watching a well-coordinated dance. It illustrated the importance of efficiency, technology, and teamwork in managing the bustling activity of the port.

This visit has not only broadened our understanding but has also sparked a deeper interest in the future of maritime logistics and trade. 

For those of you intrigued by the ever-evolving world of maritime science and global commerce, we highly recommend signing up for the programme in the 2024-2025 academic year:

https://studiekiezer.ugent.be/2024/master-of-science-in-maritime-science-en 

It's a unique opportunity to gain insight into the industry's challenges and advancements firsthand. Join us in navigating the vast and dynamic seas of maritime science!

Students visited the steel mill of ArcelorMittal, which is situated right at the canal in North Sea Port, connecting the industrial complex to the sea. While already producing the ‘greenest’ steel in the business, the company still has a firm commitment to reduce GHG-emissions and go carbon neutral by 2050. To this end, we learned about many compensating measures, such as a new blast furnace or the brand new and fully operational Steelanol plant, where production gases are turned into ethanol for biofuels.

Further down the road in the port, lies Galloo Recycling Ghent, which processes nearly a million tonnes of steel & metal scrap per year. During a tour of the yard, between various cutting and shearing techniques, we learned along the way about ferrous, non-ferrous and many other metals and alloys which are omnipresent in our daily lives. They all end up at one of Galloo’s facilities, to be recycled for re-use in new applications.

During our trip to North Sea Port, we learned about the evolving maritime operations thanks to a presentation by the port company’s CEO, mr. Daan Schalck. We observed the port's transition from a typical land lord port to a business facilitator, emphasizing on cross-border collaboration and a strategic focus on niche markets and value-added activities.

The second part of our visit was a guided bus tour through the port, led by the experienced maritime journalist and guide Jean-Louis Vandevoorde. His expert commentary offered an overview of the port's operations, combining historical context with future aspirations. The tour provided a tangible connection to the activities shaping North Sea Port's future, complementing the information from the earlier presentation, offering us a comprehensive understanding of the port's evolving role in the maritime industry.

At the start of November our students went on their study trip to London, the hub of the maritime world. During a stay of four days, we visited key maritime organizations, gaining insights into their operations and industry dynamics.

At Inmarsat (now part of Viasat) we learned about efforts to enhance positioning accuracy and data transfer for shipping and aviation, which translates to fuel economy and emission reduction. Our visit to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF) provided an understanding of the regulatory frameworks governing maritime affairs. At Lloyd's Register we spoke about the standards for ship building and maintenance, keeping the maritime trade as safe as possible.

On Day 3 and 4 we continued at the ICC International Maritime Bureau, about other maritime security concerns, including piracy, fraud, and container security.

INTERTANKO discussed seafarers' well-being, diversity in maritime careers, and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in tanker shipping. Steamship Mutual provided insights into the workings of P&I Clubs, underlining the crucial roles of underwriters and claims handlers.

While in London, our students explored the city's cultural offerings as well, enjoying museums, dinners, pubs, and a casual game of darts. Returning to Brussels via the high-speed Eurostar train, we reflect on a valuable and informative experience in the global maritime landscape.

Stukwerkers, a renowned name in the world of stevedoring and one of Europe's oldest companies in the field, has welcomed the 2023-24 group of Maritime Science students for a company and terminal visit.

In an era marked by volatility and ever-evolving challenges, the team at Stukwerkers is diligently exploring opportunities for operational expansion.
They are also unwavering in their commitment to enhancing work processes and efficiency across their terminals in North Sea Port - Ghent.

Our Maritime Science students had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the multifaceted operations of Stukwerkers.
The visit took them to various strategic locations within North Sea Port, where Stukwerkers plays a pivotal role in serving customers from diverse industries, such as fertilizer, steel, and multimodal container handling.

Our students visited the 240.000 m² multimodal ro-ro terminal operated by DFDS in the port of Ghent (North Sea Port). They had the opportunity to go onboard the vessel HUMBRIA SEAWAYS and visit the bridge. The students also got a tour of the engine room and loading decks. This ship was built in 2020, has a length of 238 m and carries up to 500 trailers and/or other cargo (such as cars or heavy equipment) between Ghent and Gothenburg (Sweden).

Interested to learn more? Experience it firsthand, by joining the “Maritime Science” master’s programme at Ghent University next academic year 2024-2025!

The longstanding relationship between North Sea Port and the Maritime Institute has once again been confirmed through the extension of the North Sea Port Chair with another 5 years.

The Chair was established in 2016 and makes an important contribution to the high quality education of our interuniversity MSc in Maritime Science programme. The renewed and extended Chair enables chairholder Professor Theo Notteboom to continue his teaching activities. As of academic year 2023-2024, he is also teaching the elective Port Planning course, alongside the general Maritime and Port Economics course.

Are you interested in following an extra programme after graduating?
Are you considering a career switch?
Do you have a passion for the maritime world?
Then the MSc in Maritime Science could be something for you!

Applications for Benelux-candidates for academic year 2023-2024 are still open.
Check our website for more information or contact us through maritimescience@UGent.be.

After a well deserved summer holiday, the brand new MSc-students of class 2023-2024 were ready for take off on 22 September 2023.

Fortunately the rain could not spoil the welcoming tour thanks to the hospitality of North Sea Port. The guided tour inside NSP Havenhuis was very much appreciated and made many curious to dive into the maritime adventure ahead.

On this sunny day with excellent visibility, the students embarked out to sea from the port of Ostend in order to visit the WANDELAAR Pilot Station, just off the coast of Belgium. At the pilot station all maritime traffic destined for the ports in the Scheldt estuary area (Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge, Flushing, …) comes in close proximity to pick up a pilot. A skilled maritime professional, who advises the ship’s captain how to navigate the deceivingly open waters safely, between sandbanks, through the meanders of the Scheldt, the narrow fairway of the Ghent-Terneuzen canal and locks. Pilots work on a “hotel like” vessel which is located at sea, as well as fast tender vessels, such as the specialised SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) and smaller jolly-boat to climb the pilot ladder on board of the biggest sea-soing vessels in the world. The visit provided an invaluable experience for the students to observe the essential role of pilots in guiding vessels safely through challenging maritime conditions.

Our students visited the port in Antwerp for a second day. Our first stop was BRABO, a company that provides boatmen and pilots in port areas. We learned that boatmen are responsible for ensuring the safe mooring and unmooring of ships using customized motorboats and winch wagons, while harbour pilots advise captains on the maneuvering of their ships since sea captains do not have local knowledge of the waterway or port.

Next, we visited the newly merged port authority for the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, the PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES. At its visitor’s centre Portopolis, we learned about the port's history, the different types of cargo it handles, and how it has become one of the most important ports in Europe.

Our final stop was DP WORLD, operating the Antwerp Gateway Terminal, which is one of the largest container terminals in the Port of Antwerp. We were impressed by the scale and highly automated equipment, ensuring efficient and reliable cargo handling services.

In April our students travelled to London – considered to be the maritime capital of the world! During the 4-day visit, the students attended meetings and presentations by some of the leading organizations in the industry, including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Intertanko & Intercargo, INMARSAT, IOPCF, Lloyd's Register, Steamship Mutual, and the Belgian Embassy to the UK. These organizations gave the students an insight into the complexities and opportunities within the maritime industry.

The IMO, as the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing marine pollution, presented the students with an overview of its role in setting international standards for safety, security, and environmental protection. Intertanko and Intercargo, representing the interests of tanker and dry cargo owners respectively, provided the students with an insight into the commercial and regulatory challenges faced by the shipping industry. Inmarsat, a leading provider of satellite communication services for the maritime industry, showcased the latest technological innovations in the industry. The students also learned about the role of classification societies, such as Lloyd's Register, in ensuring the safety and reliability of ships. Finally, the visit to the Belgian Embassy provided the students with an understanding of the diplomatic and economic relations between Belgium and the UK in the maritime industry and beyond.

Overall, the study trip was a valuable experience for the students, providing them with a better understanding of the maritime industry and its importance in the global economy.

Thanks to Prof. Theo Notteboom, the MSc students had the honor of participating in the annual Port conference in Antwerp, where numerous port-related trends and issues were addressed.  Many thanks for this opportunity, it was a very interesting and instructive afternoon!

The students visited Zeebrugge, where they were warmly welcomed by the newly formed fusion Port of Antwerp-Bruges and given a tour of the entire port area. They were able to see the breakwaters into the North Sea and spot a big cruise vessel from the brand-new cruise terminal. The students were also able to observe many roll on roll off vessels (so called “roro”) and car carriers bringing tens of thousands of the newest car models to the "International Car Operators" (ICO) terminal. It was fascinating to see the bustling activity of the port, with ships from all over the world arriving and departing.

Another part of the visit was the guided tour of one of Europe's biggest LNG terminals by Fluxys. The students were able to see how LNG is stored, transferred ship-to-ship, and sent to all of Europe via pipelines. It was fascinating to learn about this important energy source and its role in Europe's energy supply. The students also learned about the various safety measures in place to ensure that the terminal operates smoothly and without incident.

Overall, the visit to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Zeebrugge was an excellent opportunity for the students to learn about the importance of the port and its role in international trade. They were able to see firsthand the various types of ships and cargo that pass through the port and learn about the various industries that rely on it.

Plenty to discover in the innovative maritime field in Antwerp. This time we were welcomed at DEME HQ in Zwijndrecht for an overview of the dredging simulators and all other activities (offshore, infrastructure & environmental).

Along the Scheldt riverbank, maritime and tech companies thrive. SEAFAR is active in advancing remote controlled and automated shipping. Tech of the future – already operational today!

CMB.TECH, a division of the Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) is pioneering various applications around dual fuel use for hydrogen. We visited their publicly accessible hydrogen refueling station for trucks, cars and vessels.

Our students had the unique opportunity to visit the newest crane vessel by DEME – the ORION. Usually busy at sea, but now preparing for a new mega offshore project, about which our students got to experience the ins and outs. The ORION is unique, not only because it can handle the biggest loads for wind farm construction, but also because it does so in areas which are inaccessible to a classic jackup vessel. For this purpose, DEME designed and constructed a stabilizing system, which counteracts the movement of the ship, while the windmill monopile is accurately being hammered into the sea bed. Truly remarkable engineering!

In the afternoon our group learned about the ‘Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen’ project, a once in a century construction site to develop the new lock for bigger vessel access to North Sea Port. From the challenges caused by fresh- and salt water interaction, to the adequate care for the environment and stakeholders, this Flemish-Dutch co-op project is almost 20 years in the making and now coming to fruition before our eyes – ready for the future world of shipping.

The life cycle of steel – all in one day and all of it to be experienced at North Sea Port in Ghent! Our group visited the steel mill of ArcelorMittal, where high quality products are made and shipped by maritime vessel, inland barges, train and trucks to various customers in the automotive sector and for industrial applications.

Steel (and other metal) scrap then makes its way back to Ghent, to be recycled at Galloo Ghent. Even whole vessels that are end-of-life get stripped down, sliced up and converted into raw materials, ready to be reused again.

Our first study trip took us to the biggest port in Europe: Rotterdam! Facts, figures and a future-proof vision were presented at the World Port Centre, which offers spectacular views over the city as well. Some 45 km out from the city, we reached the newest man-made part of port land: Maasvlakte II. We explored this high tech (and partially autonomous) port by bus and boat tour. This port is constantly changing at a rapid pace & reinventing itself – come see for yourself with us next year!

Students visited the HUMBRIA SEAWAYS roro-vessel by DFDS at the terminal near the Mercator dock in Ghent. A guided tour of the ship’s bridge, machine room and loading decks, followed by a presentation about the multimodal approach from DFDS.

Stukwerkers, one of the oldest stevedoring companies, opened their doors once again for our group of Maritime Science students. We visited various locations in North Sea Port, where Stukwerkers has operations for many customers in various industries: fertilizer, steel, multimodal container handling, ...

The first field trip for the new batch of Maritime Science students of 2022-2023 started off with a visit to North Sea Port (Ghent) on October 7^th 2022. Presented with facts and figures by the CEO of North Sea Port Daan Schalck, we then embarked on a boat tour of the port from Ghent to Terneuzen (NL), with guided commentary by our colleague Jean-Louis Vandevoorde.

The MSc in Maritime Science programme is proud to announce that student An-Sofie Obrie has won the Flows award 'Thesis of the Year' 2022!!

During the first live broadcast in the Flows studio, An-Sofie was awarded for her master thesis, titled "Legal challenges regarding autonomous shipping in inland waters", under promotorship of Prof. dr. Evert Lataire.

An-Sofie convinced the jury thanks to the originality and importance of the topic, the creative writing quality and the used methodology. Well done!!

The MSc in Maritime Science programme is looking for a parttime (15%) practical assistant for the organisation and guidance of the Study and Field trips course.

Interested to join our team? Check the vacancy here.

With summertime in view, one of the busiest moments of the year is again packed with paper presentations, exams and of course the defence of the master thesis.

God's speed to class 2021-2022!! The best of luck with your maritime career, do keep in touch :-)

The last and final field trip will took the group to the Antwerp port area on the Left Bank of the Scheldt on Thursday 4 May.

This concluding trip of class 2021-2022 had two very interesting destinations: Kieldrechtsluis, Beveren and container terminal MPET (MSC PSA European Terminal).

On 20 of April, the group headed to  the other side of the Scheldt river for a guided tour of the Flushing/Vlissingen side of North Sea Port and two of its most prominent port companies: Kloosterboer (www.kloosterboer.com) and Verbrugge Terminals (www.verbruggeinternational.com).

On Wednesday 23 March, the group had an appointment with MSc-alumnus Dieter Rabaut at DEME Offshore for a welcoming and a presentation of the activities of Deme. This was followed by a visit to the ORION Simulator and a bus tour through the Antwerp Left Bank Port Area.

A visit to Ostend was on the programme on Wednesday 16 March. First the students followed a presentation at Port of Ostend, after which they were welcomed at the MRCC (Maritime Rescue & Coordination Centre). The afternoon programme was a visit to the Flanders Maritime Laboratory, and Blue Cluster/Bluebridge.

On Wednesday March 9 the group headed to Antwerp for another full day visit. A presentation of the Port of Antwerp and a bus tour of the Right Bank port area in the morning was followed by a visit to Seafar in the afternoon.

The destination on Wednesday March 2, 2022 was Brussels.  First, a tour and presentation of Port of Brussels was on the programme, after which the students enjoyed a short walk to their next appointment: the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO).

The next field trip of 2022 took the group to Zeebrugge on Wednesday February 23. The full-day programme was packed with interesting visits, starting with a presentation of Port of Zeebrugge, a visit to International Car Operators, a bus tour through the port area and a visit to the company ECS European Containers.

The visit to Tailormade Logistics in December 2021 had to be postponed because of the omicron upswing of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately the students could take a rain check: on 16 February 2022, the field trip with a focus on logistics could take place, it was surely worth the wait!!

The last trip of the year was a two-day study visit to the biggest port in Europe, Rotterdam.

This visit started with an interesting fusion between art and the maritime world at the Rotterdam Maritime Museum to see an exhibition on maritime masterpieces.

On the programme of day 2 were a visit to the Port of Rotterdam Authority, a bus tour of Maasvlakte 2, followed by a boat trip of Maasvlakte 1&2 with the Futureland Ferry.

The next field trip took the MSc students to the companies Euro-Silo and SMEG on Wednesday 27 October. The main focus of this field trip was on grain handling and storage.

The third field trip was a visit to the scrap terminal and ship recycling yard of Galloo on Wednesday 20 October. After a global introduction on the group and its activities, an outdoor tour was made for an impression of the working field in practice.

The second field trip took us to the stevedoring company Stukwerkers on Wednesday 13 October. The focus of this company visit was on goods handling and multimodality. After a global introduction on Stukwerkers at their headquarters, the students made a guided tour of their installations.

The new MSc class of 2021-2022 was delighted to start the academic year with renewed possiblities, finally!!

On 4 October 2021, the group gathered on board of the Jacob Van Artevelde for a sunny boat trip from Ghent to Terneuzen. The trip was offered by CEO of North Sea Port and MSc lecturer Daan Schalck, who started the visit with an introduction of his course Contemporary Port Problems.

During the month of March, more companies welcomed the MSc students at a webinar, among which Hydrogen Europe (12/03), Port of Brussels (18/03), Port of Zeebrugge (19/03), DEME and Blue Cluster (26/03). A big thank you for all this virtual hospitality!!

These companies have kindly accepted to host webinars to allow the students to get to know their activities. They provided with useful insights into the workings of their part of the maritime business:

• 12/02: Inmarsat, the satellite and communications company with strong ties and much needed services to the shipping industry;
• 12/02: ECSA, the European organisation of shipowners, with focus a bit on the impact of European trade policy on shipping;
• 19/02: IOPCF, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, an interesting example of how the shipping business is regulated on a very specific topic;
• 26/02: Intertanko, the organisation of independent tanker operators.

For the forth field trip, the MSc students made a small journey abroad with a visit to Terneuzen on Wednesday 9 December 2020. Halfway, there was time for an interesting stop at the Kluizendok at North Sea Port to get a visually clear overview of the site.

After a month of exclusively online courses, the MSc group was very happy to step on the bus again for the third field trip at the beginning of December.

The destination of the half day trip was the stevedoring company Stukwerkers. After a global introduction of the company,  the aim of the visit was to get a closer view on the activities in the terminals in the port area, with a focus on general cargo.

The annual traditional visit to the recycling company Galloo took place on 28 October 2020. The students were very impressed to have a look at this scrap terminal, located in North Sea Port Ghent. This is where the action takes place in the field of dry bulk, scrap and ship recycling.

To kick off the new academic year 2020-2021, the first field trip took the MSc-students to North Sea Port in Ghent on 21 October, 2020.

After an online introduction by CEO Daan Schalck in the morning, a corona-proof bus took to group to the site in Ghent for a live tour. The trip was in the good hands of Jean-Louis Vandevoorde, our practical assistant and first class guide in the maritime field.

After an extremely eventful academic year 2019-2020, our MSc in Maritime Science students had a graduation never to forget.

Unfortunately, we could not offer them a nice reception with family and friends. No pictures of proud students and professors in togas were taken. Nevertheless, we wholeheartedly congratulate class 2019-2020 for the achievement in these incredibly trying covid-19 times.

As a token of appreciation, Ghent University projected all the names of the graduating students on the iconic library tower. We checked, and yes, we spotted many of our maritime students. Well done to all of you!!!

The last field trip of the first semester was an unconventional one. The group was welcomed at the City Hall on Tuesday December 17 for a chat with Port Alderman Sofie Bracke. Afterwards, a visit to the cathedral was made to see the Ghent Altarpiece (The Adoration of the Holy Lamb) of the brothers Van Eyck, the most important work of Western art in our city. A perfect destination to mark the end of 2019 in beauty.

To start the last month of the year 2019, a visit was made to to ‘transport architect’ Lalemant on Tuesday December 3. The main focus of this field trip was on chartering, road haulage, inland navigation…

On 19 November, the group made a field trip to Euro-Silo. The focus was on the grain trade and cereals and oilseeds terminal operations. After a global introduction on Euro-Silo, the students were given a guided tour of the installations. Before returning to the university, there was also a short visit to the harbour master coordination centre at North Sea Port.

Our MSc in Maritime Science students spent a busy and very interesting week in London from 10-14 November 2019. On the programme were maritime visits to Lloyd’s Register, INMARSAT, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds, the International Maritime Organization, Intertanko/Intercargo, Marshall Islands Registry, Steamship Mutual  and the International Maritime Bureau. As usual, the trip was impeccably organised by teaching assistant Jean-Louis Vandevoorde.

Early November, the students visited the DFDS Belgium terminal and toured the ‘Primula Seaways’ getting ready to sail back to Gothenburg. Prior to that, Managing Director Sam De Wilde gave the students a thorough presentation of the group and of the drivers and dynamics in RO/RO shipping, terminal operations and Intermodal activities.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jowita-dziedzic-965b57171_wemoveforalltogrow-dfds-terminals-activity-6602125606593282048-K_2l

On 29 October, the MSc group visited the recycling company Galloo, the impressive scrap terminal in the port of Ghent. The focus of the summery view outdoors was on dry bulk, scrap and ship recycling.

The second field trip was made to Sea-Invest on 15 October 2019.  An very interesting opportunity for the MSc students, as this company is one of the major bulkhandling groups in Europe.

The second field trip took the group to the stevedoring company Stukwerkers on Tuesday October 8. After a global introduction on the company,  a bus tour was made to see some of their terminals in the port area. The focus of this field trip was general cargo.
 

De ‘Flows Logistics Thesis of the Year’ beloont het beste eindwerk van de logistieke opleidingen. Op 17/10 a.s. wordt de winnaar gekozen. Het Maritiem tijdschrift Flows stelt genomineerde  MSc in Maritime Science alumnus Gijs Boogers  voor, die een eindwerk maakte over de groei bij Maersk, MSC en CMA CGM.

Lees het volledig interview hier

No better way to start the new academic year 2019-2020 than to make a first field trip. On 1 October, the new MSc students visited North Sea Port Flanders in Ghent. After an introduction at the Visitors’ Centre by the CEO of North Sea Port, Daan Schalck, also lecturer in the MSc in Maritime Science programme , there was a guided tour of the port.

After a very busy academic year 2018-2019, we waved our graduating students goodbye. Happy sailing to you all, please keep in touch!!

The last field trip of our Maritime students took place on 25 and 26 April in Rotterdam. On this two day trip abroad, the students took a boat tour in the older part of the port of Rotterdam and  made a bus and a boat trip of the Maasvlakte II, the most recent seaward expansion of Europe's biggest port.

On the third field trip of the 2nd semester, the students headed  to the port area on the Left Bank of the Scheldt in Antwerp. Visits were made to ship company MSC and the MPET containerterminal at the Deurganckdok, and the AET terminal of Grimaldi and Mexico Natie. Also a tour at the village of Doel was on the programme.

A special day trip on the water, offered by VLOOT: a boat trip on the Sirius from Ostend to Antwerp on Saturday 30 March. The trip was guided by Captain Yves Goossens, general manager of VLOOT.

On March 22, the MSc group headed to Ostend for the second field trip of the 2nd semester. On the programme: a visit to Norther, which is installing a new wind farm on the Belgian part of the North Sea, the Maritime Rescue & Coordination Center (MRCC) and the Port Authority.

On the 15th of March a study visit was made to Zeebrugge: first there was a stop at the Port Authority and a bus tour through the port area and terminals of ICO, the biggest car handing company in the port. After a lunch offered by the Port Authority, the trip continued with a visit to ECS/2XL, a major logistic operator closely connected to port activity in Zeebrugge. Before heading back to Ghent, there was a small tour of a terminal of CLdN/Cobelfret, the biggest roro company operating from this port.

The last company visit of 2018 was made to the car manufacturer Honda, located in North Sea Port in Ghent. After following  a company presentation, the students made a visit to the Car Logistics division and parts warehouse.

On the 4th of December, the maritime group visited the Head Office of ‘transport architect’ Lalemant, based in Ghent. The main focus was on chartering, road haulage, inland navigation…

Following the visit to Sea-Invest on the 27th of November, a visit was made to the recycling company Galloo, the big scrap terminal in the port of Ghent and one of the few yards on the European ‘white list’ for ship recycling. The focus of this field trip was on dry bulk, scrap and ship recycling.

The last field trip in November started in the company Sea-Invest, one of the major bulkhandling groups in Europe. The occasion was extra special since the group was welcomed by two of our 2017-2018 alumi: Cassandra Van Bossche and Jan Van Hauwaert.

Protected by safety coats and matching helmets, the MSc group made a visit to the 'Apollo' of GeoSea, a unique offshore installation vessel of the Belgian dredging group DEME. The tour guide on this occasion was our own MSc student (and DEME employee) Dieter Rabaut.

The academic activities of the MSc in Maritime Science are complemented with a five-day study trip to London, which took place from 11 to 15 November 2018.

This trip consisted of visits to organizations and companies that are actively involved in maritime transport. This year visits were made to Lloyd’s Register, INMARSAT, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Marshall Islands Registry, Steamship Mutual and the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). Also a visit to the Belgian Embassy with a welcoming by the embassador was included in the programme.

The next field trip took the group to steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal in Ghent. The focus of this trip was on raw materials supply and industrial logistics. After a global introduction on AMG, the students received an insight into the logistical operations, followed by a tour of the production facilities.

Another guided tour was a visit to shortsea shipping operator DFDS in Ghent on October 23.
This field trip was focused on ro/ro. After a global introduction on DFDS, the students visited one of the ships and the terminal.

An Indian summery visit was made to the Ghent-based stevedoring company Stukwerkers Group NV, were the focus was laid on general cargo. After a global introduction of the company, a tour of the terminals in the port area was made to link theory to practice.

The kickoff of the field trips of the MSc in Maritime Science class 2018-2019 was on 2 October 2018. The students visited North Sea Port Flanders, located in Ghent. After a global introduction on the port at the Visitors’ Centre, there was a guided tour of the port to give students a peek at the port activities in practice.

Summertime traditionally means saying goodbye to one class and welcoming new students at the beginning of a next academic year. Class 2017-2018 enjoyed a very festive graduation. After a well deserved vacation, they could look forward to finally start their maritime career.