The new federal research vessel Belgica

After more than 36 years of service the time has come for our RV Belgica to be replaced. To that end the Belgian Federal Government decided to build a new modern research vessel.

It will be operational end-2021 and will be able to further support the marine research community for the next 30 years.
After a contest for schools and a voting by the general public, the new ship will continue to bear the historic and symbolic name Belgica.

The project was realized through a collaboration between the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), the Ministry of Defense and the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO).