Belgian Navy takes delivery of new research vessel

The Belgian Navy recently took delivery of a new oceanographic research vessel.

Belgica arrived at its homeport of Zeebrugge earlier this month following a four-day delivery voyage from Spain’s Freire Shipyard.

The crew complement includes three Belgian Navy personnel and eleven civilian mariners from French shipping company Genavir, which is primarily responsible for the management and operation of the specialised vessel.

Belgica will sail on its maiden operational cruise in January 2022. Its initial deployment will be in the Mediterranean, where it will conduct soil sampling activities over a period of five weeks.