The members of the European Tugowners Association (ETA) assembled in Turku for its 58th Annual General Meeting. This year´s successful event was hosted by Alfons Hakans. In spite of the difficult conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 85 participants among ETA full and associate members attended the Annual General Meeting in person, while other delegates preferred to follow the debates virtually.
The ETA Annual General Meeting voted on the change in the chairmanship of the Association, which happens every two years. After two difficult but productive years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kimmo Lehto (Alfons Håkans AS) handed over the ETA baton to Vicente Boluda Ceballos (Boluda Corporacion Maritima SL), who will be the new Chairman for the next term. His previous position as Deputy Chairman has been filled by Alberto Dellepiane (Rimorchiatori Riuniti Porto di Genova).
Kimmo Lehto said, “it has been an honour to serve as the Chairman of the European Tugowners Association in very challenging times caused by Covid-19. However, with challenges also comes rewards which have taught the association and its members to meet and communicate online and to organize successful virtual conferences. The members of the ETA have shown that they are able to adapt the sudden changes in their towage operations and have showed that they are resilient and a reliable part of the logistic chain of the maritime industry. Our members have also successfully continued their work towards a greener, more sustainable future despite the current restrictions caused by Covid-19. Moreover, the Association continues to improve its dialogue with the policy makers and other associations of the shipping sector with the new ways of communication that have been adopted during the pandemic. It is with great pleasure I now hand the chairmanship of the ETA over to the very capable hands of Mr. Vicente Boluda who will guide us into our next normal”.
