The Compagnie Maritime Belge is one of the oldest steamship companies in Antwerp and was founded in 1895, under the name 'Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo' (CBMC). At the request of King Leopold II of Belgium and with the support of British investors, a maritime connection was opened between Belgium and the Congo Free State. On February 6, 1895 the ship Léopoldville was the first to leave the port of Antwerp for Congo. For sixty years the Congo boats, as they were known, were a constant presence in Antwerp's port.

In 1930, CBMC acquired the Lloyd Royal Belge, another Belgian shipowner, and the name of the new company became Compagnie Maritime Belge.  Expanding its reach, CMB now opened new lines to America and the Far East.

Found at market, not a stones throw from the old Antwerp harbor, a cache of vintage matchbooks produced for the Compagnie Maritime Belge.  Unused, these wooden match sticks are in a traditional matchbook decorated with vintage maritime graphics.