Research vessel Belgica II to set sail again after 18-month dispute
Belgium’s renowned research vessel Belgica II will return to sea in spring 2026, ending an 18-month standstill caused by a dispute with the French shipping company Genavir. The Belgian government and the firm have now reached an agreement, Science Policy minister Vanessa Matz confirmed.
The conflict, which began in June 2024, centred on unpaid invoices and the employment status of Latvian crew members. Genavir had received a sailing ban and unilaterally terminated its contract. According to Matz, the disagreement has been settled through a “clarification of the crew’s social and legal framework” and a “balanced financial solution.” Ongoing legal cases will be suspended.
Before resuming operations, the vessel will undergo maintenance in dry dock over winter 2025-26. “We hope to be back at sea by March 2026,” said a relieved Michel Van Camp, director of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), to De Standaard.
The ship’s schedule is already filling up, with bookings confirmed through 2027.
The Belgica II plays a key role in marine research and North Sea monitoring, including the environmental impact of wind farms, sand extraction, and dredging. Its absence disrupted vital data collection, delaying academic work and research projects. The new agreement increases sailing days from 160 to 240 per year, enabling longer and more distant missions.
The vessel will also support the Belgian Navy by training sailors and monitoring suspicious maritime activity in the North Sea. Defence will fund 100 sailing days annually.
Launched in 2022 and christened by Crown Princess Elisabeth, the Belgica II features 400 square metres of laboratories, room for 28 scientists, and an operational range from the North Sea to the Arctic. It is the third vessel to carry the historic name, first made famous by explorer Adrien de Gerlache.
The Belgica research vessel Belgica in Ghent © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK