The members of the European Tugowners Association (ETA) met again in Türkiye for its 63rd Annual Meeting. This year, the event was held in Istanbul and was kindly hosted by the three ETA local members Med Marine, Sanmar and Uzmar. The magnificent Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, located on the shores of the Bosphorus, hosted the ETA delegates for three days of meetings and activities. This year´s Annual Meeting was the biggest in the history of the Association, with more than 170 attendees who participated in the networking events, Annual General Meeting and Conference.
The Annual General Meeting welcomed OSM Thome as a new full member. The Finnish company operates a fleet of three tugboats in the Port of Kilpilahti. With the addition of OSM Thome, ETA now has 85 full members. Furthermore, the Annual General Meeting reviewed the work carried out by the Secretariat over the previous 12 months, which focused on maintaining a constructive dialogue with the European institutions and contributing to discussions on the European Port and Industrial Maritime Strategies, as well as the extension of the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Regulation to offshore vessels.
The four-day event featured a rich programme of meetings, discussions, and social activities designed to encourage dialogue on the future of both the Association and the European towage sector, while also strengthening the professional and personal ties that unite ETA members. Beyond the conference sessions, delegates had the opportunity to experience the unique culture, history, and gastronomy of Istanbul, including a memorable evening at the historic Sait Halim Pasha Mansion and a spectacular boat trip along the Bosphorus. The cherry on the cake was the gala dinner overlooking the strait, followed by an evening of music and hospitality at the magnificent Çırağan Palace, once the residence of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz. The exceptional venues and warm hospitality of the hosts provided an ideal setting for networking and informal exchanges among members of the European towage community.
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In this edition, the ETA Conference had as theme ‘Towage at the Frontline: Geopolitics, Military Mobility and Europe’s Maritime Security’ and delved into the EU’s evolving framework to facilitate the rapid and secure movement of military personnel and assets across Member States with particular attention to the implications for ports and harbour towage.
The speakers and attendants debated on the readiness of European states to face military crisis and the role of port towage as key factors that can improve the resilience and security of European harbours during a military conflict.
Thus, Geoffrey Till (King’s College London) outlined the major developments that have shaped maritime security over recent decades and advocated for a comprehensive, integrated approach in which military and non-military elements, including economic policy, law enforcement, critical infrastructure, and other relevant sectors, work in concert to strengthen maritime security. Harry Fullerton (SixFigureGrid) further explored the evolution of modern warfare, highlighting how it has changed dramatically over recent decades, becoming faster-paced, increasingly intertwined with civilian technologies, and less predictable. He also examined the challenges facing European states, particularly their ability to keep pace with emerging threats, rapid technological developments, and the growing complexity of hybrid warfare. Christian Bueger (University of Copenhagen) analysed the EU actions to improve Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection, advocating for a plethora of integrated policies in different fields that can make the EU better armed to counter threats to its maritime infrastructure. Kaisa Kuukasjärvi (Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications) outlined the measures Finland has undertaken to strengthen the resilience, security, and mobility of its transport system. She also highlighted the vital role of towage services in safeguarding Finland’s security of supply, emphasizing their importance in ensuring the continuity of maritime transport and the functioning of critical supply chains. Edwin Lampert (Riviera Maritime Media) focused on the implications of the EU’s Military Mobility initiative, examining how the evolving regulatory framework may affect dual-use towage services and the broader towage sector. Furthermore, the session was complemented with a presentation of the findings and achievements of the European project GREENPORT Alliances, which aims to reduce emissions from port services through the development of new educational programmes.
You can download the presentations by clicking on the speakers names.
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ETA Chairman, Arjen Van Dijk said: ‘our annual meeting, a significant event for the towage community across Europe, was a testament to our collective strength. This year, we engaged in a productive dialogue on the latest developments in EU Regulation and sustainability. In a positive and constructive climate, all members, who are both friends and competitors, actively participated, demonstrating their commitment to tackling the common challenges ahead. I am deeply grateful for their participation, and it is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of such a community’.
The ETA Secretariat wants to thank the host companies, Med Marine, Sanmar and Uzmar, for their very warm and generous assistance which made this 63rd Annual Meeting another great success and the biggest in ETA´s history. The Secretariat also wants to extend its deepest gratitude to the sponsors for their generous contribution. the port towage industry, while also strengthening the bonds that unite the Association.
