Throughout 2024, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) has played a proactive and strategic role in shaping the maritime industry’s response to evolving regulatory, environmental, and operational challenges—both within Europe and on the global stage. With the entry into force of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) actively represented the interests of the Belgian maritime sector. The Association raised practical concerns about implementation and called for targeted adjustments through position papers, direct engagement with the European Commission, and close cooperation with the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). This ongoing work lays important groundwork ahead of the planned revision of the EU ETS in 2026, ensuring that future updates are informed by real-world industry experience.

In parallel, as the sector prepared for the entry into force of the FuelEU Maritime regulation, KBRV initiated and facilitated dialogue with a broad network of internal and external stakeholders. Given the complexity and far-reaching impact of FuelEU, this collaborative approach aimed to anticipate compliance challenges, align interpretations, and support members in navigating new requirements.

At the global level, Belgian stakeholders consistently advocated for a fair and effective maritime decarbonization strategy, emphasizing the need for a unified global carbon pricing mechanism under the leadership of the IMO. During the MEPC sessions and through collaborations such as joint letters with international shipowners’ associations, they reinforced the call for a robust Net Zero framework and the urgency of bold industry action.

Environmental protection was another central theme, particularly in marine biodiversity. The launch of the #MakeWayForWhales campaign and a European awareness initiative on ship strikes reflected a growing commitment to safeguarding whale populations and reducing the ecological impact of global shipping.

Operational concerns also took center stage, with webinars and studies highlighting technical challenges around Ballast Water Management Systems and the effectiveness of the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator. Meanwhile, ship recycling emerged as a rising regulatory concern, especially as the number of vessels reaching end-of-life grows amid a fragmented legal landscape. Altogether, the past year demonstrated the proactive stance of Belgian shipowners in addressing regulatory uncertainty, promoting innovation, and advancing sustainability across the maritime industry.

– Ahead of MEPC 81, Belgian Shipowners once again make the case for a global maritime pricing mechanism (14/03/2024)
o Ahead of MEPC 81 in March 2024, KBRV renewed its call for a global carbon pricing mechanism in shipping, warning that regional approaches could lead to complexity and market distortion.

– Latest position paper by Belgian shipowners shows implementation challenges of EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime (13/05/2024)

– In May 2024, KBRV released a position paper highlighting challenges in implementing the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime regulations. The paper points out legal ambiguities, compliance uncertainties, and the complexity of applying the “polluter pays” principle.

– KBRV meets with European Commission to provide feedback on EU ETS (28/06/2024)
o In June 2024, KBRV met with the European Commission to share practical feedback on the implementation of the EU ETS for maritime shipping. The Association highlighted legal and operational challenges and called for clearer, more workable rules—building on its earlier position paper.

– New study shows real wordl complexities/shortcomings IMO’s carbon intensity indicator formula (23/07/2024)
o In July 2024, KBRV released a study highlighting the complexities and shortcomings of the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) formula. The study found that factors like port waiting time, idle time and short voyages negatively impact CII ratings, particularly for container vessels, VLCCs, and LPG carriers. KBRV recommends revising the formula to account for these external factors and calls for a broader review of the CII’s scope.

– MEPC 82: KBRV supports ICS criteria for IMO Net Zero Framework (30/09/2024)
o At MEPC 82 in September 2024, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) expressed strong support for the International Chamber of Shipping’s (ICS) proposed criteria for the IMO’s net-zero framework. KBRV endorsed the ICS’s recommendation for a flat-rate greenhouse gas (GHG) fee per tonne of CO₂ emitted, viewing it as a clear, transparent, and globally consistent pricing mechanism aligned with the “polluter pays” principle. This approach aims to prevent fragmented national and regional initiatives, reducing administrative burdens and avoiding duplicate CO₂ charges. KBRV emphasized that aligning with the ICS proposal is essential for achieving the IMO’s 2050 GHG reduction targets while maintaining a sustainable and competitive maritime industry.(KBRV)

– ICS Webinar on Ballas Water Management Systems (10/03/2025)
o On 12 March 2025, KBRV participated in the ICS webinar “Ballast Water Management Systems – Navigating the Challenges”. Panelist Yvan Vlaminckx from Fast Lines Belgium shared insights on the operational challenges of Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS), particularly for short voyages. He called for a more pragmatic regulatory approach to ensure effective implementation. The webinar fostered discussion between shipowners, regulators, and maritime professionals on overcoming BWMS challenges.