Government aims to relaunch Belgica II in 2026

If all goes according to plan, the research vessel Belgica II will make its long-awaited comeback after the summer, according to Defence Minister Theo Francken. After months of legal gridlock in the port of Zeebrugge, the Ministry of Defence and BELSPO – Belgium’s Federal Science Policy Office – are working full speed ahead on a relaunch. “The Belgica II ranks among the world’s top research vessels. The time has come to get it back into operation,” say MPs Maaike De Vreese, Lieve Truyman, and Charlotte Verkeyn.

The Belgica II is a versatile research vessel operated by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Belgian Navy. Launched in Ghent in 2020, it has been docked in Zeebrugge since 2024 due to a legal dispute with the French shipowner Genavir. The vessel is also facing around 300 technical issues.

“The Belgica II belongs in the North Sea, not tied up at the dock”

“The Belgica is a research ship used for both defence and scientific purposes. In terms of research, it represents the very best. The construction cost was €54 million, so I’m very pleased the federal government has found a solution,” says MP Lieve Truyman, who monitors BELSPO’s activities in the parliamentary committee for Federal Scientific Institutions.

“Every day this vessel remains idle, we lose valuable knowledge, opportunities, and international credibility. For Flanders in particular, which is heavily invested in marine and climate research, this is unacceptable. Belgium must reclaim its leadership role in North Sea research, and restarting the Belgica II is crucial to that goal,” says MP Charlotte Verkeyn.

Boost for the Navy

The Belgica II holds the status of a support vessel for the Navy. Currently, the Ministry of Defence is acting as a neutral mediator between the owner, BELSPO, and the operator, Genavir. The aim is to find a joint solution within the existing contractual framework to get the vessel operational again. Under current protocol agreements, Defence and BELSPO are also exploring the potential for closer cooperation. This would offer opportunities for the Navy to increase its use of sea days, with cost-sharing arrangements.

“A partnership between BELSPO and Defence would be a true win-win. Once the Belgica II is back in service, our maritime presence in the North Sea would be significantly strengthened. Given the current geopolitical tensions, the vessel could also be deployed for monitoring in the North Sea—helping us better protect critical infrastructure along our coast,” concludes MP Maaike De Vreese.