Hogere Zeevaartschool Antwerpen | HZS

About

14th century marine officers have been trained in Antwerp since at least the 14th century. Napoleon Bonaparte founded an academy in 1800.[2] Napoleon's plan was to make Antwerp a base of operations against England, together with major changes in the harbor, a renewed training for his officers was part of making "Scheldt and Antwerp, a gun pointed at the heart of England." In 1834 the academy was refounded under the Belgian regime. Initially the courses were given only in French. The school fell under the Ministry of Transport because "the rules of the road" were a major part of the curriculum. Starting from 1907, each class of first year students in Nautical Sciences is named after a distinguished maritime personality. From 1977 on, this is also done for the Marine Engineering department.