News & events

Our students from Maritime Science visited the ArcelorMittal steel mill, a must-see industry located along the sea canal of North Sea Port. This canal connects the factory directly to the sea, allowing for the massive transportation and logistics needs of the site. During our visit, we learned about the steel making process, planned innovations in blast furnace technology to reduce CO2 and the operational bio Steelanol plant, which converts production gases into ethanol for biofuel and carbon capture.

We proceeded to Galloo Recycling Ghent, a company representing the circular economy. Galloo processes nearly a million tonnes of steel and metal scrap annually, ensuring valuable materials are recycled and reintroduced into new production cycles. While touring the scrap yard, we were impressed with the brute force of the cutting and shearing techniques. The visit highlighted the crucial role recycling plays in conserving resources and reducing environmental impact, with metals from everyday life finding new purposes in every business and household.

Op donderdag 5 december 2024 gaf assistent Frederik Rogiers een presentatie op een studiedag met als thema de Zwarte Zee. Zijn presentatie 'There and back again, Russia’s pick-and-choose approach to the Freedom of Navigation and international law of the sea' kon op de nodige bijval rekenen, met heel wat aandacht in de aansluitende vragenronde.

Voor dit maritiem event sloegen het Maritiem Instituut en de Koninklijke Belgische Marine Academie de handen ineen, met een interessant programma tot resultaat. Dit was ook het nieuwsplatform Flows niet ontgaan, met een artikel rond de presentatie van Prof. Christa Sys rond het maritiem economisch belang van de binnenzee als gevolg.

Op donderdag 5 december 2024  organiseert het Maritiem Instituut een studiedag met als thema de Zwarte Zee. Dit event wordt mogelijk gemaakt dankzij een samenwerking met de Koninklijke Belgische Marine Academie.

Op deze studiedag wordt ingegaan op de geopolitieke, militaire, veiligheids- en economische uitdagingen van de regio van de Zwarte Zee: zie programma.

Dit vindt plaats in de Faculteit Recht en Criminologie, Voldersstraat 3, Gent, aud. G. vanaf 10 uur.

Inschrijven kan tot uiterlijk 3 december via deze link.

On Monday 25 November 2024, the first edition of the  North Sea Port Talent Experience Day took place in Ghent.

The Maritime Institute could not miss out on this unique opportunity where visitors could experience the port up close and discover what professional and educational opportunities are available. We were very happy to take part and introduce our Institute and the MSc in Maritime Science and Port management programmes.

On Friday the 15th of November, Maritime Institute Researcher and Academic Assistant Drs. Frederik Rogiers presented his poster entitled: 'Defending the invisible: The protection of submarine communications cables under international law' at the research day of Ghent University's Law and Criminology Faculty Research Day.

At the invitation of the European Commission Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, Maritime Institute Researcher Drs. Frederik Rogiers joined an expert round table in the framework of the 2024 Paris Peace Forum. Under Chatham house rules, they discussed the current situation in the Red Sea and the threats to maritime security under the theme "Bridging Waters: The Role of Dialogue in Red Sea Maritime Security, learning from other contexts". Drs. Frederik Rogiers presented some of his insights on maritime security questions in the Red Sea from a public international law and law of the sea perspective.

Louis Galo McDonough presented his paper co-authored with Prof. Dr. Jianping Guo titled ‘Implications of the ITLOS Climate Change Advisory Opinion on International Fisheries Law’ at the Future Trajectories in the Law of the Sea Symposium organized by the Norwegian Center for the Law of the Sea (NCLOS) held on 5–7 November 2024 in Tromsø, Norway.

On 31 October 2024, the first management committee meeting of the new EU COST Action network BlueRights ('Life, liberty and health: ensuring universal protection of human rights at sea') was held in Brussels.

Prof. Klaas Willaert is part of the management committee of BlueRights and will be participating in Working Group 2 on the protection of liberty at sea.

This November, students from Maritime Science went on a four-day study trip to London, the world’s leading maritime hub. This year’s itinerary included a range of renowned institutions, covering a comprehensive overview of the maritime sector.

What better way to put things into perspective and to see how far we’ve come – than with a visit to the British Maritime Museum? Seafaring has by definition always been international and world encompassing.

Next up was a visit to Lloyd’s of London, where we learned how insurance markets adapt to evolving maritime risks, yet maintain their vibrant traditions and foundational business principles. Students then got the truly unique opportunity to attend a plenary session at the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) in the Assembly Hall of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). We saw firsthand how the decision-making process shapes environmental protection policies and compensation frameworks. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) introduced us to the challenges and solutions in maritime security—tackling threats like piracy, fraud, and cyber risks. A stop at the Belgian Embassy in London highlighted the diplomatic dimensions of economic, civilian & maritime affairs. Visits to Intertanko and Lloyd’s Register provided insight into the critical roles of industry associations and classification societies in ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability across the global fleet.

Beyond these professional engagements, the group experienced London’s vibrant cultural offerings, from historic pubs and unique dining experiences to iconic landmarks. These moments of exploration not only enriched the trip but also deepened the camaraderie within our group.

This study trip embodies the essence of our programme: combining academic learning with real-world exposure to prepare future maritime leaders.

Join the Maritime Science programme at Ghent University next academic year, taking a step into the epicenter of the maritime world. Become yourself a part of a programme that goes beyond the classroom to open doors to your future career.

On 11 October 2024, Prof. Klaas Willaert served as a member of the grading committee for the PhD defense of Anna Lunde Hermansson at Chalmers University in Gothenburg.

Anna’s PhD, titled “Holistic assessment of ship scrubbers, with emphasis on the marine environment”, comprised a unique interdisciplinary analysis of a topic that is both academically interesting and original, as well as topical and socially relevant.

The first Field trip of the Maritime Science students 2024-2025 was to Stukwerkers, a stevedoring and logistics company.

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and a competitive labor market, Stukwerkers is embracing digitalization to facilitate growth and maintain operational efficiency. By integrating digital tools, Stukwerkers is both optimizing current workflows and positioning themselves for long-term growth in the logistics industry.

During the field trip, students visited key strategic locations at North Sea Port, Ghent, where Stukwerkers plays a vital role in servicing industries like fertilizers, steel, and multimodal container handling. This visit provided a firsthand look at how a traditional company is transforming its operations to meet modern demands, highlighting the importance of both technology and human capital in today's maritime business economy.

On 1 september 2024, the Maritime Institute was pleased to welcome doctoral researcher Cedric Pfeiler,  who will investigate the compatibility of autonomous shipping with UNCLOS.

One month later, Zhongua Chen joined us, who was awarded joint funding from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and Ghent University to pursue his doctoral research, titled "Applying UNCLOS to Address Climate Change: Reinterpretation and Systemic Harmonization".

The best of luck to both!!

At the invitation of the European Defense Agency (EDA), Maritime Institute Researcher Drs. Frederik Rogiers joined an expert panel during the annual REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping Maritime Unmanned Systems) Exercise in Troia, Portugal this past September. This high level panel tackled the question of the security of submarine infrastructure in the current geopolitical climate. Drs. Frederik Rogiers personally spoke of the legal questions that arise today as countries seek to better protect their submarine cables, pipelines and other infrastructure from malignant actors.

Prof. Klaas Willaert participated in the symposium “30 Anniversary of the Entry into Force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: The ‘Constitution for the Oceans’ in Light of Emerging Challenges”, jointly organized by the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea (IFLOS) and the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) on 21-22 September 2024 at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

In a panel on “Relationship of the BBNJ Agreement’s ABMT Mechanism and Relevant Ocean Governance Institutions”, Klaas provided more insight on the interaction with the ISA and the regime governing the Area.

The kick-off of the new class of the MSc in Maritime Science programme was an extra summery edition.

Not all newcomers could make it for the guided tour, but those present enjoyed a lovely afternoon in our beautiful city of Ghent.

God's speed for all students for academic year 2024-2025!!

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!

Benelux-applications for academic year 2024-2025 are open until (and including) October 2024.
Check our website for more information or contact us through maritimescience@UGent.be.

Maritime Institite Researcher and Academic Assistant Drs. Frederik Rogiers briefly joined UNSW Sydney (University of New South Wales Sydney) Law and Justice for two weeks following the 31st ANZSIL Conference in Melbourne for a brief stay as a visiting researcher. During his time here, Frederik participated in the institute's research and networking activities and presented on his own research regarding the permissibility of military activities in the EEZ in close cooperation with prof. Natalie Klein, a member of his doctoral committee.

Maritime Institute Researcher and Academic Assistant Drs. Frederik Rogiers was present at the 31st ANZSIL (Australia New Zealand Society for International Law) Conference in Melbourne, Australia from 3 to 5 July. Over the course of 3 days the conference theme "Crisis, Conflict and Cooperation" led to a great deal of interesting presentations and networking opportunities. Drs. Frederik Rogiers himself presented on a part of his doctoral research concerning the history of the freedom of navigation and military activities at sea and how a limited view of this history to this day leads to misunderstandings among policymakers and scholars alike.

De proclamatie van de 25e editie van de Academy Havenbeheer was dit jaar extra feestelijk, aangezien de deelnemers die de opleiding met succes afrondden in de bloemetjes gezet werden op het allereerste netwerkevent 'Maritime Summer Kick-Off'.

Maritiem platform Flows wijdde een artikel en fotomoment aan deze proclamatie en dit event, waarop ook de afzwaaiende studenten van de opleiding MSc in Maritime Science het einde van het academiejaar vierden.

De eerste editie van dit netwerk-initiatief was alvast een succes, mede dankzij de enthousiaste aanwezigheid van de lesgevers, alumni en de leden van de adviesraad van de MSc in Maritime Science opleiding. Hiermee is alvast de toon gezet voor een jaarlijkse maritieme traditie aan de UGent.

On 3 July 2024, the first edition of the Maritime Summer Kick-off took place at the UGent Law faculty.

This maritime gathering brought together lecturers, students and alumni of the MSc in Maritime Science, along with the members of the MSc-Advisory board, who held their first meeting in the afternoon.

The successful event was a joint initiative with our colleagues from the Gandaius academy who celebrated the proclamation of the Port management participants 2023-2024.

Prof. Klaas Willaert participated in the stakeholder workshop of the international research project MiningImpact-3, hosted by Utrecht University on 19 June, 2024.

Maritime Institute Researcher and Academic Assistant Drs. Frederik Rogiers was present at the 2024 SciencesPo Intensive Doctoral Week from 10 to 14 June 2024 where he presented on his doctoral research on military activities at sea, the increasing rate of these activities as well as the increasing vagueness with which States approach international law in this respect. He cooperated with other international law researchers on improving methodological methods for their research and looked for areas of overlap and collaboration. During the week, there were also a series of lectures and networking opportunities both at SciencesPo Paris and Paris Nanterre.

On the 4th and 5th of June, Maritime Institute Researcher Frederik Rogiers was present at the 15th Aniversary Annual NMIOTC Conference in Chania (Crete). The Conference brought together over 120 senior naval staff, government representatives and academics to deal with "Risks and Challenges in a Dynamic Maritime Domain; Strategy Adaptations, Technology Innovations and the Operational Landscape of the Future." Frederik Rogiers, in the frame of his PhD Research on maritime security and military activities at sea, presented on the tools international law offers navies and governments to protect their critical submarine communications cables, responsible for 99% of all global communications and vital to our current global order and way of life.

During a visit of a delegation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at Ghent University, Prof. Klaas Willaert attended several sessions, involving pitches of the relevant research groups at Ghent University and the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between UCAS and UGent.

Prof. Klaas Willaert attended the conference on Marine Data and SDGs, organized by the Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences (RAOS) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels on 5 April 2024, where he presented his research.

To finish the academic year, students of Maritime Science visited the Wandelaar Pilot Station at sea near Ostend, which is operated by VLOOT (“Agentschap MDK”). From up close, we saw the process of pilot transfers on and off massive vessels destined for the ports of Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge & Vlissingen. These transfers happen on the move, via pilot ladder from specialized vessels: red SWATHs and yellow yawls. Rainy clouds soon made way for sun – so we had a splendid time!

This visit was truly a highlight of our 2024 study trips!

If you're passionate about a maritime career and eager for hands-on experiences that complement your academic studies, we encourage you to join the next edition of Maritime Science: https://studiekiezer.ugent.be/2024/master-of-science-in-maritime-science-en

Embark with us on a journey that can shape your future in the maritime industry.

Prof. Klaas Willaert made his presentation of research within the panel 'New Developments of Deep Seabed Mining Regime' of the 'Symposium on The Evolution of the UNCLOS: Progress and Prospects', organized by the Center for Rule of Ocean Law Studies and Center for Polar and Deep Ocean Development of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai from 24-26 April 2024.

The Ghent Maritime Institute (as part of the Department of European, Public and International Law of the Faculty of Law and Criminology of Ghent University) is looking for a full-time PhD student (4 year position) who will work on the topic “Gentle wave or tsunami? The impact of unmanned and autonomous shipping on the law of the sea” under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Klaas Willaert. During your PhD trajectory you will be able to conduct academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation, to publish and present research results on a national and international level, and be part of a motivated team, contributing to the daily functioning, research activities and educational tasks of the research group and the department. More information can be found here.

Students from the Maritime Science program at Ghent University, recently embarked on a two-day study trip to Rotterdam, renowned as Europe’s largest port. This trip brought theory to practice in maritime operations.

At Maritime & Transport Business Solutions (MTBS) and the port authority of the Port of Rotterdam, we engaged in lively Q&A sessions, gaining first-hand knowledge from industry experts. We then explored the Maasvlakte II terminal on a guided boat tour, witnessing some of the world's largest ships and state-of-the-art cargo handling operations.

Our Futureland bus tour through APM Terminals showcased automated and remote cargo handling, highlighting the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of maritime logistics. We also learned about the ongoing projects in green hydrogen production led by Shell and partners, giving us a glimpse into the future of sustainable energy in shipping.

As we near the end of our academic journey, we look forward to one final field trip this year. It will be our last stop before we set sail into our professional careers.

We encourage future students to participate in similar trips to gain invaluable insights and prepare for the exciting challenges ahead in maritime science!

Prof. Klaas Willaert attended the 118^th Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law (ASIL), which took place in Washington D.C. from 3-6 April 2024. His presentation of research within the panel was titled 'What is the BBNJ Agreement’s impact on deep-sea mining?'

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!