News & events

Just across the border, students Maritime Science ventured off to the port of Vlissingen (North Sea Port).

At Damen Yachting, we marvelled at some of the finest superyachts in the world in construction. From sleek exteriors to lavish interiors, these vessels showcased cutting-edge design and craftsmanship. It was an inspiring peek into the pinnacle of maritime luxury and Dutch shipbuilding expertise.

The group then stopped by the Mission to Seafarers, where the focus shifted from ships to the people who sail them. Staff shared the vital work they do in offering support, comfort, and a sense of home to seafarers far from their families. It was a powerful reminder of the human side of the maritime industry.

Finally, at Lineage (Kloosterboer), students toured massive cold storage facilities where products from all over the world are kept perfectly refrigerated or frozen before continuing their journey to supermarket shelves across Europe. This was a real insight into cold chain logistics that keep global food supply running.

Of course, a visit to the Port of Antwerp could not be missing from the Maritime Science field trips curriculum.

At Brabo Group, students explored the roles of pilots ensuring the safe navigation of vessels and boatmen mooring them securely within the Port of Antwerp. A state of the art simulator is used to train safely in a digital twin of the port area and under different circumstances on various vessels.

The trip continued at MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET), the largest container terminal in Europe. The yard was packed and super busy, which pushes the dockers and terminal planners to find innovative solutions to keep cargo flowing smoothly.

Maritime Science alumnus Dieter Rabaut welcomed the group in DEME’s hyper-modern visitor centre at their headquarters in Zwijndrecht to talk in depth about the truly jawdropping engineering & offshore projects that DEME is doing around the world. This Belgian company is a top employer that welcomes motivated maritime professionals from many different countries, to fuel its growth. Several of our Maritime Science alumni have gone on to do great things at DEME and other promising companies.

If you want to be next – the Maritime Science programme’s enrolment is open for 2025-2026!

Continuing their journey through the maritime business world, Maritime Science students set course for Rotterdam, home to Europe’s largest port. Over the span of two days, the group explored global shipping, logistics, and offshore industry.

In Rotterdam’s vibrant business center, the group engaged in insightful sessions with industry leaders. During meetings at MTBS and FDR | Risk & Insurance, students had the opportunity to discuss maritime economics, transport strategy, and risk management with seasoned professionals. These exchanges provided valuable context on the financial and legal frameworks that underpin the maritime sector.

Students were among the first to visit Portlantis, the brand-new visitor center located at Maasvlakte II. This architectural landmark not only offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the bustling port area, but also immerses visitors in the world of modern maritime logistics through interactive VR experiences and expositions. Students virtually scaled the towering heights of a container crane and stood atop a wind turbine, gaining a unique perspective on the scale and complexity of port operations.

No visit to Rotterdam would be complete without experiencing its iconic port infrastructure up close. A sunny boat tour through Maasvlakte II offered just that, treating students to spectacular views of some of the world’s largest vessels. Highlights included a close encounter with the Pioneering Spirit, the largest ship in the world (!), as well as witnessing the christening of the new methanol-powered ADRIAN MAERSK container ship - a rare and memorable sight.

Continuing their journey through the maritime business world, Maritime Science students set course for Rotterdam, home to Europe’s largest port. Over the span of two days, the group explored global shipping, logistics, and offshore industry.

In Rotterdam’s vibrant business center, the group engaged in insightful sessions with industry leaders. During meetings at MTBS and FDR | Risk & Insurance, students had the opportunity to discuss maritime economics, transport strategy, and risk management with seasoned professionals. These exchanges provided valuable context on the financial and legal frameworks that underpin the maritime sector.

Students were among the first to visit Portlantis, the brand-new visitor center located at Maasvlakte II. This architectural landmark not only offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the bustling port area, but also immerses visitors in the world of modern maritime logistics through interactive VR experiences and expositions. Students virtually scaled the towering heights of a container crane and stood atop a wind turbine, gaining a unique perspective on the scale and complexity of port operations.

No visit to Rotterdam would be complete without experiencing its iconic port infrastructure up close. A sunny boat tour through Maasvlakte II offered just that, treating students to spectacular views of some of the world’s largest vessels. Highlights included a close encounter with the Pioneering Spirit, the largest ship in the world (!), as well as witnessing the christening of the new methanol-powered ADRIAN MAERSK container ship - a rare and memorable sight.

On Friday the 21st of March, Maritime Institute researcher Frederik Rogiers was invited as a keynote speaker by the European External Action Service to Brussels for a Workshop on the International Law of the Sea framework for the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. During his opening presentation, Frederik Rogiers discussed the current lacking international law regime on the protection of submarine cables and pipelines at sea as well as a number of suggestions on how to improve both protection and responsiveness.

On Thursday the 20th of March, Maritime Institute researcher Frederik Rogiers was invited by the Belgian Group of the International Society for Military Law and the Law of War to an afternoon conference in the historic city of Bruges on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. During his presentation, Frederik Rogiers looked at the protection regime under international law, and how it is lacking in a context of grey zone conflict. Frederik continued the discussion on the current regime under the law of the sea, what options are available to States to act in the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone, as well as discussed questions faced under jus ad bellum and jus in bello as pertaining to the right of self-defense against the sabotage of submarine cables and pipelines. At the end of the afternoon, Frederik joined a panel discussion alongside prof. Louis Le Hardy de Beaulieu as well as the Chief of Staff of the Belgian Navy Kristof Van Belleghem and the Deputy Director of Naval Policy Staff of the Belgian Navy Commander Ilja Van Hespen.

The Maritime Science students went on the next field trip to several maritime institutions located in the Port of Ostend.

The morning began at VLIZ – the Flanders Marine Institute, where students were introduced to modern research methods and the broader significance of marine science. As a hub in the scientific community, VLIZ underscores the role of data-driven research in understanding and protecting our oceans, while supporting sustainable maritime development.

Next, the group headed to RelyOn Nutec, where they received demonstrations of various offshore safety training methods. A range of scenario-based safety trainings were designed to replicate hazardous conditions at sea. From simulated fire emergencies to lifeboat evacuations, these immersive exercises form a crucial part of preparing professionals for real-life maritime challenges.

In the afternoon, the students were welcomed once again at GEOxyz, where they explored the forefront of Belgian survey technology. Known for its innovative spirit, GEOxyz continues to push boundaries in subsea mapping and offshore inspection. Students saw various modern Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and unmanned survey vessels in action. This technology plays an essential role in building and maintaining critical offshore infrastructure.

The visit also provided a moment of connection, as several Maritime Science alumni shared their experiences and career paths, inspiring the next generation of maritime professionals.

11 March 2025 was a festive milestone for the MSc in Maritime Science programme: alumnus Angelo Goethals successfully defended his doctoral thesis titled "The legal framework for (inter)connecting the Belgian offshore wind farms." 

The jury was very impressed and so are we: Congratulations from all of us!!

On the maritime news platform Flows, MSc-student Tineke Van Bristom shared her testimony how her journey as a working student led to a new career opportunity. Tineke has recently been appointed as the new port advisor for Johan Klaps, whose responibiliy as alderman includes the Port of Antwerp.

The programme wishes Tineke the best of luck with this new challenge!

On Tuesday 11 March 2025 at 5 p.m., Angelo Goethals will defend his PhD, titled: “The legal framework for (inter)connecting the Belgian offshore wind farms”.

The offshore electricity system in the Belgian part of the North Sea is evolving, with projects like Triton and Nautilus aiming to connect future wind farms in the Princess Elisabeth Zone to other countries. This dissertation investigates two key questions: (1) How can the current legal framework for connecting the Belgian offshore wind energy farms to the Belgian transmission system be assessed?, and (2) How can the current legal framework for interconnecting the Belgian offshore wind energy farms to the grids of other European states be assessed? It focuses on three pillars: grid development and integration, market issues, and planning and authorization. The study assesses whether the framework provides sufficient legal certainty and addresses future needs. Through legal and comparative analysis with the Netherlands and the UK, the research concludes the framework works well for current projects but lacks comprehensiveness for future ones. To address this, a more sustainable and future-proof legal framework is recommended. (Link to the Research pitch)

Practical information and registration link

On Wednesday 19 February, the Maritime Institute and its sister research group, the Ghent Rolin-Jaequemyns International Law Institute (GRILI) held a closed seminar on recent developments in international law of the sea with both internal and external speakers. In-house, PhD researcher Louis McDonough spoke on the implications of the recent ITLOS Advisory Opinion on climate change on international fisheries law, while external colleague Alessio Devis from the University of Utrecht presented on how to address the conflicting climate and environmental objectives in marine spatial planning for offshore wind energy.

Many thanks to all those present for the engaging questions and discussions as well as to the researchers for their excellent presentations.

At the ICO Car Terminal in Zeebrugge, students Maritime Science observed the operations of Europe's largest automotive port. Annually handling approximately 2.5 million vehicles across its terminals in Zeebrugge and Antwerp, ICO specializes in roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo, managing the storage and processing of new vehicles for major car manufacturers. 

During a lunch meeting with representatives of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges we discussed the port's pivotal role in the European and Belgian economy. The merger of the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge has created a versatile global port, excelling in various sectors, including container handling, breakbulk, petrochemicals and other types of cargo and industry. The port's strategic locations and high capacity infrastructure facilitate seamless connections to and from the European hinterland, enabling global trade and prosperity in the region.

At ECS, we learned about logistics and supply chain management. ECS specializes in road, rail, and sea transport to optimize the flow of goods, among other for just in time deliveries to the UK's supermarket retailers. Their commitment to sustainability and efficiency is evident in their operations, with a warehouse that runs with automated pallet transporters & high-bay storage capacity. Special height 35-foot containers can be double stacked with heavy and light loads, and in doing so moving more goods with less trucks.

Kicking off the second semester with more visits to come!

On Tuesday the 21st of January, Maritime Institute researcher Frederik Rogiers was invited by DG Mare (Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission) for a seminar on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and its lacking protection under international law. During his presentation, Frederik Rogiers tackled the current regime, what options are available to States to act in both the territorial sea and in the Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as the challenges we face as we try to interpret the current legal framework in present-day geopolitics.