ECSA: six decades of European shipping leadership and the legacy of Emanuele Grimaldi’s presidency

European Shipowners | ECSA celebrated its 60^th Anniversary on 9 and 10 December in Brussels, marking six decades as the voice of the European shipping industry. Founded in 1965 as the Comité des Associations d’Armateurs des Communautés Européennes (CAACE), the association today represents 21 national shipowners’ associations from the EU and Norway and works to promote a regulatory framework that supports the competitiveness, safety and sustainability of European shipping.

The anniversary brought together shipowners, policymakers and stakeholders for two days of discussions on the strategic role of shipping for Europe’s security and resilience. European shipping represents around 35% of the world fleet and remains a cornerstone of global supply chains, ensuring energy and food security, guaranteeing EU exports and connecting Europe with the rest of the world.

A central contribution to the celebrations came from Emanuele Grimaldi, past President of ECSA (from 2001 to 2003), today Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group. His address offered both a personal reflection and a powerful reminder of the impact ECSA has had on shaping modern European maritime policy.

Looking back at his presidency of ECSA, Grimaldi recalled a decisive phase in the evolution of European maritime policy, shaped by close cooperation between shipowners, European institutions and international partners. During his term of office, ECSA played a key role in shaping and supporting the Erika I and Erika II legislative packages, introduced following the Erika and Prestige tanker accidents.

These measures marked a historical turning point for maritime safety and environmental protection in Europe, resulting in acceleration of the phase-out of single-hull oil tankers, strengthening of Port State Control inspections, enhancement of oversight of classification societies, establishment of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and improvement of maritime traffic monitoring and pollution liability regimes. As Emanuele Grimaldi noted, these reforms demonstrated how effective regulation and industry collaboration can turn lessons learned from crisis into lasting progress.

Beyond the regulatory achievements, Grimaldi underlined the enduring spirit of partnership that defines ECSA’s work — a spirit that has continued to guide cooperation between ECSA and ICS in recent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to today’s security challenges affecting key shipping routes.

As European shipping looks ahead, the path to decarbonization, technological innovation and greater resilience will require strong leadership and sustained cooperation at both European and global level. As European Shipowners | ECSA marks its 60^th anniversary, its ongoing influence — shaped by decades of dialogue, vision and commitment, and strengthened by the contribution of leaders such as Emanuele Grimaldi — remains a solid foundation for the future of the industry.

Pictured from left to right: Thomas Rehder (former ECSA President), Emanuele Grimaldi, Philippos Philis (ECSA Alternate Director), Sotiris Raptis (ECSA Secretary General), Karin Orsel (ECSA President), Mikki Koskinen (ECSA Vice President), Juan Riva (ECSA Director), John Lyras (ICS Board Member).