Read the new Op Koers now

The sixth edition of Op Koers, the magazine of Bpf Koopvaardij, has been published! This edition is once again full of personal stories from current and former seafarers and up-to-date pension information. We look back and ahead.

A key topic is the upcoming introduction of the new pension rules from 1 January 2026. You can read almost everything about this in the ‘New pension’ file. For example, you can read how to prepare for the new rules with sample calculations. We also cover the partner’s pension and the role of the board.

Will all ships soon be green? That is the question in the interview on making the shipping sector more sustainable. Greening is more than just switching to alternative fuels. The sector is working on more measures to reduce carbon emissions.

In the retrospective, we tell the story of Cornelis, who unwillingly became a front-line soldier during the Second World War while working as a seafarer. We also delve into the history of the grain ship Scheurrak SO1. The ship has been on the bottom of the Wadden Sea for centuries. The contents have been preserved and tell something about life aboard a merchant ship in the 16th century.

In ‘Working abroad’, former seafarer Egge talks about his work in the port of Vancouver. After many voyages, he has found his home port there. And last but not least: our cover model, retired seafarer Hans. He tells us how he has remained active after his early retirement by pursuing his passion for boats.