The most important steps for the acquisition of a new research vessel to replace the RV Belgica are presented in the time line below.
On Saturday 25 June 2022, the new Belgian oceanographic research vessel RV Belgica was baptised. The official ceremony took place at the Rigakaai (North Sea Port) in the godfather city of Ghent, where the RV Belgica was moored for a few days for this occasion. None other than HRH Princess Elisabeth honoured the ship by accepting to act as godmother. After pronouncing the baptismal formula « I baptise you BELGICA and wish you and your crew a safe journey. » she successfully broke a bottle of champagne on the hull.
Press Release. | Photos
On Saturday 25 June (morning) and Sunday 26 June (full day), the public had the opportunity to visit the new Belgian oceanographic research vessel RV Belgica in its Godfather city Ghent. For this occasion, the RV Belgica visited the Rigakaai (North Sea Port, Ghent) where she was officially christened in the afternoon of Saturday 25 June.
Press Release in Dutch 
or French | Photos
The new research vessel Belgica arrived in Zeebrugge.
She is ready to start her first scientific campaigns in January 2022.
Photos
Reception of the RV Belgica in Vigo.
The management and operation of the new BELGICA will be entrusted to the French shipping company Genavir.
The new oceanographic research vessel Belgica will be operated by Genavir, specialised in the management of scientific vessels. The shipping company of the French oceanographic fleet will also be the first French shipping company to manage a ship under the Belgian flag.
Press Release in Dutch or French
Ghent becomes godfather city of the new research vessel Belgica!
The city of Ghent will be the godfather of the new research vessel. The State Secretary for Science Policy, Thomas Dermine, took this decision after consultation with the Mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq. The city of Ghent had already expressed its interest in becoming the godfather of the advanced research vessel. A candidacy supported by the University of Ghent, an important scientific partner of the Belgica.
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Princess Elisabeth accepts to be the godmother of the RV Belgica.
First Launch of the New Research Vessel Belgica
The future Belgian research vessel Belgica was launched for the first time on 11 February 2020 from the Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain. An important milestone following the keel laying, the equivalent of the laying of the foundation stone of a building, just under a year ago. The ceremony took place in the presence of the various project partners: the shipyard, the Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO), Defence and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS). Now the ship will be further finished and provided with all the necessary equipment. The delivery of the ship in Zeebrugge is scheduled for the last quarter of this year. Then it will officially be put into service. The cost of the project amounts to approximately 54 million euros (VAT included).
Persbericht | Communiqué de presse | Press Release
Also for the most original video a reward was announced, so the pupils of class 4B of the Institut de la Providence the Champion (Namur) were expected in the military port of Zeebrugge, in order to sail half a day on the Belgica. Captain Haddock's shadow will hover above the North Sea...
Press release in Dutch or French
The name Belgica II was presented on board of the current RV Belgica by Sophie Wilmès, the minister responsible for Science Policy, in the presence of the pupils of the winning class 1LA of the Athénée Maurice Destenay from Liège. The pupils of this class can rightly call themselves Ambassador of the new research vessel, and were allowed to test the sea legs on a day trip with the current research vessel RV Belgica.
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Start of the construction of the ship. Cutting of steel.
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The State Secretary for Science Policy, Zuhal Demir, and the Minister of Defense, Steven Vandeput, have announced the construction of a new state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel to replace our current research vessel, RV Belgica, in 2020. The name of the new vessel will be chosen via a contest for Belgian schools. Become ambassador of the new research vessel and experience a unique experience with your class on the North Sea!
Programme | Press release in Dutch or French | Contest for schools in Dutch or FrenchPhotos
Design of the new research vessel by Freire Shipyard and Rolls Royce Marine As (ship designer).
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Start of the contract for the design and construction of a new research vessel with Freire Shipyard. The design and construction will last maximum 28 months.
The construction process can be followed here...
The Council of Ministers confirms the award of the contract for the acquisition of a new research vessel to Freire Shipyard (Vigo, Spain).
The Council of Ministers approves the award of the contract for the acquisition of a new research vessel to Freire Shipyard (Vigo, Spain) for an amount of 53,7 MEURO.
The call to tender for the acquisition of a new multidisciplinary research vessel is published. Seven offers have been introduced at the set deadline.
The Council of Ministres agreed to launch the public procurement for the acquisition of a new research vessel.
The Council of Ministers has decided to replace the RV Belgica with the acquisition of a new research vessel. A budget of 54,45 MEURO has been foreseen by the Belgian Federal Government for this purpose. The public tender will be launched through a cooperation between the Ministry of Defense, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) and the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO).
The conclusions of the financing study are presented to the Council of Ministers of 4 April 2014.
The study confirmed that the only coherent solution for the replacement of the RV Belgica is the purchase of a new research vessel. The cost of purchasing a new vessel that meets the needs of the scientific community is estimated at 54,45MEURO (including VAT).
The Council of Ministers of 26 April 2013 takes note of the conclusions of the feasibility study and agrees to carry out a financing study. The study was carried out by the OD Nature of RBINS and BELSPO. The study aimed at updating the cost of building and operating a new research vessel, at analysing the different modalities of management and financing and also to look at possible collaborations with foreign institutes.
The feasibility study, carried out by Techmar International in collaboration with the University of Liège, was concluded. The study concludes among other things that the construction of a new research vessel is the only long-term sustainable option for the replacement of the RV Belgica. During this study, the scientific needs of the research community were also listed up. The feasibility study can be consulted.
Summary | Study (only in French)
The first steps towards replacing the RV Belgica have been made by the approval of the Council of Ministers of 9 December 2015 for the launch of a feasibility study that will analyse the different replacement options for the RV Belgica (construction or modernization).
