The 50th IST OPS Meeting and 77th ST OPS Meeting was hosted by the Belgian NMCC and held in the beautiful city of Bruges. With 51 participants from 21 nations, the friendly atmosphere was perfect for formal discussions and additionally the more relaxed conversations between nations over coffee and lunch.
A big part of what made the meetings so special was the strong sense of community. Many attendees were familiar faces, with some having joined up to 25 times! This long-standing connection created a great environment for open dialogue and informal exchanges.
The conference kicked off with a lively icebreaker session, which – judging by the noise level – was a hit and helped set the tone for the rest of the event.
Guest speakers gave insightful briefings on topics related to inland surface transport and sea transport, sparking plenty of interesting discussions.
Key themes included Contractor Support Operations (CSO), the use of inland waterways, and innovative AI-based software solutions for Reception, Staging, and Onward Movement (RSOM) of military formations, NATO Shipping Center, NSPA and The EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC)
Participants also got to enjoy a guided tour of Bruges, learning about the city’s rich history, and were warmly welcomed at a reception hosted by Bruge’s Alderman in the stunning gothic chamber of the historic city hall. MCCE Director, Col Erik van de Ven, presented a token of appreciation to Alderman Pieter Marechal for the warm hospitality.
Erik van de Ven, MCCE Director, presented Bruge’s Alderman the Honourable Pieter Marechal with a token of gratitude for the welcome reception
Networking continues to be a cornerstone of these meetings, offering a valuable space to build connections and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The next IST and ST OPS Meeting is scheduled to take place in Hungary in April 2026.
A special word of gratitude goes to the Belgian NMCC for their incredibly warm hospitality and excellent organizing efforts.