EMPA - European Maritime Pilots' Association

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EMPA - European Maritime Pilots' Association

EMPA is a professional associaton representing more than 5000 pilots from 25 European countries

09/07/2026

📌 EMPA Activity Report | June 2026

🔗 LINK IN FIRST COMMENT

07/07/2026

📌 On 2 July 2026, the EMPA Board of Directors held its regular online meeting to review the Association's ongoing activities and discuss priorities for the months ahead.

ℹ️ The agenda covered strategic initiatives, training and technical developments, European maritime policy, membership matters and preparations for upcoming EMPA events.

Together, we continue working to strengthen cooperation among European maritime pilots and promote the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

02/07/2026

📩 We are pleased to share EMPA – European Maritime Pilots’ Association Newsletter n. 7

👉 A recommended read for the entire maritime community.

26/06/2026

📌 EMPA at ETA’s 63rd Annual Meeting in Istanbul

European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) represented by its President Miguel Vieira de Castro was pleased to attend the 63rd Annual Meeting of the European Tugowners Association(ETA), hosted by Med Marine Holding A.Ş. , Sanmar A.S. and UZMAR in the remarkable setting of Istanbul.

Under the theme “Towage at the Frontline: Geopolitics, Military Mobility and Europe’s Maritime Security”, the event brought together key stakeholders from across the maritime sector to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing our industry today.

🗣️ During the conference, EMPA had the opportunity to underline the importance of GREENPORT Alliances, promoting closer cooperation between ports, pilots, and maritime partners to advance sustainability, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency.

Events like this are essential to strengthen collaboration across sectors and ensure a resilient, safe and sustainable maritime future.

Our sincere thanks to European Tugowners Association and the hosts for an excellent programme and outstanding hospitality.

26/06/2026

📌 Last Monday in preparation for the upcoming European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) 2027 General Meeting, the President Miguel Vieira de Castro and EMPA Vice President and and Delegate for International Affairs of the Spanish Pilots' Association of Colegio Oficial Nacional de Prácticos de Puerto Jose A. Pérez conducted a site inspection along the Costa del Sol to identify the most suitable venues for our 61st GM

📍 The next General Meeting will take place (11th to 14th May 2027), in Estepona, Spain.
Costa del Sol, is one of southern Europe's most distinguished maritime and hospitality destinations.

ℹ️ The visit, organised with the collaboration of Patterson Travel, focused on evaluating potential conference facilities and accommodation options along the coast, with the aim of selecting a venue that truly reflects the standing of the European pilotage community. The delegation assessed a range of locations for their accessibility, infrastructure, and capacity to host a gathering befitting the importance of the EMPA General Meeting.

The EMPA General Meeting is one of the foremost events in the maritime-port calendar, bringing together marine pilots from across Europe to share expertise, address common challenges, and strengthen the cohesion of the profession.

Attracting the widest possible participation from European pilots remains a core objective, ensuring that the GM continues to serve as a benchmark event for the maritime and port community at large.

Further details regarding the venue and programme of the next EMPA General Meeting will be announced in due course through European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) official channels.

07/06/2026

📘 EMPA Activity Report | April & May 2026

The past two months have been exceptionally active for the European Maritime Pilots' Association.

Across Europe, European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA)European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) has continued to engage with institutions, member associations, industry stakeholders and maritime professionals, contributing to discussions on some of the most important challenges facing our sector: safety, sustainability, innovation, training, human capital and the future of pilotage.

From the 60th EMPA General Meeting in Ghent 🇧🇪 to national congresses and technical conferences in France 🇫🇷, Italy 🇮🇹, Turkey 🇹🇳 and Spain 🇪🇸, from participation in the European Maritime Skills Forum and the BPAC meeting, to discussions on pilotage, port operations, tug integration and green transition, EMPA has remained actively involved in promoting professional excellence and sharing best practices across the maritime community.

Particular attention has been dedicated to training, recruitment, knowledge exchange and the role of pilots in an increasingly digitalised maritime environment, reaffirming a principle that remains unchanged: technology can support operations, but safe navigation ultimately relies on competent professionals making sound decisions.

At the same time, EMPA has continued to support initiatives such as GREENPORT AlliancesGREENPORT Alliances, contributing to the discussion on sustainable port operations and the behavioural changes required to achieve meaningful progress towards decarbonisation.

Beyond meetings and conferences, May also offered an important opportunity to strengthen the human side of our profession. The 60th EMPA Football Tournament in Ålesund 🇳🇴 once again brought together colleagues from across Europe, demonstrating that cooperation, friendship and mutual trust remain at the heart of our community.

A sincere thank you to all member associations, partners, colleagues and friends who contributed to another busy and rewarding period for EMPA.

Together, we continue to navigate change while upholding the highest standards of safety, professionalism and service to society.

👉🔗 LINK IN FIRST COMMENT

28/05/2026

This week European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) is in Valencia, represented by our President Miguel Vieira de Castro and Vice President and Chairman of the Technical and Training Committee and Member of the Board of Colegio Oficial Nacional de Prácticos de Puerto Jose A. Pérez.

We are pleased to attend the 111th Spanish Maritime Pilots’ Congress Colegio Oficial Nacional de Prácticos de Puerto in Valencia (26–29 May 2026).

European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) is deeply honoured to be invited to address the congress and present our work on a collaborative vision for safe, efficient and sustainable port operations—where digital tools support decision‑making, while the pilot’s professional judgement on board remains the critical safety barrier, free from competition or commercial pressure.

We had the opportunity to refer and explain the GREENPORT Alliances disseminating the advantages of training on behavioural changes regarding more sustainable operations.

The most valued, was the opportunity to engage with Spanish colleagues and to meet with established EMPA partners, like Jos Moens from Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure.

My thanks to the organisers and to our Spanish colleagues for the unbelievable welcome and fabulous event.

28/05/2026

ℹ️ European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) took part in the BPAC (Baltic Pilotage Authorities Commission) meeting held between Helsinki and Stockholm from 27–29 May 2026.

The meeting represented an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation and information exchange among Baltic countries on pilotage matters, contributing to safer and more efficient seaways across Europe.

EMPA was represented by Vice President Capt. Hahtonen.

18/05/2026

2026 EMPA football tournament and BOD
Ålesund - Norway 🇳🇴

Two wonderful days of work, friendship and social exchange for the European pilotage community.

On 14 and 15 May, the 60th edition of the EMPA Football Tournament took place — an event that has always represented a unique moment of aggregation and camaraderie among European maritime pilots. Once again, colleagues from across Europe met both on and off the pitch, competing with passion, sportsmanship and mutual respect.
🇧🇪 🇧🇬🇫🇷🇬🇧🇮🇹🇪🇸🇵🇹🇳🇱🇩🇪🇫🇮

This year’s tournament was hosted in Norway, in the beautiful city of Ålesund, whose extraordinary scenery provided the perfect setting for this long-standing EMPA tradition.

Our sincere thanks go to the Norwegian Pilots’ Association for the excellent organisation of the event and for the warm hospitality and friendship shown to all participants throughout the two days.

Alongside the sporting event, the EMPA board of directors also met to continue its ongoing work and discussions on the many important issues currently affecting the pilotage profession and the maritime sector across Europe.

During the event, the next edition of the tournament was also officially presented: the 2027 EMPA Football Tournament will take place in Sines, Portugal 🇵🇹, where the European pilotage community will once again gather to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite us.

Events such as these continue to demonstrate how EMPA is not only a professional association, but also a strong and united community built on cooperation, friendship and shared values.

18/05/2026

Today, on the occasion of the International Day for Women in Maritime, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to all women working across the maritime sector, whose professionalism, dedication and commitment contribute every day to the safety, efficiency and development of our industry.

A special thanks goes to the two women of the EMPA team whose work and support are invaluable to our Association:
Mrs. Aileen Van Raemdonck
Secretary-General EMPA
and
Mrs. Elke Bogaerts
Office Administrator EMPA

Their professionalism, competence and constant commitment represent an essential contribution to the activities of EMPA and to the maritime pilotage community.

To all women in maritime: thank you for your passion!

Adresse

Boulevard Du Régent 43/44
Brussels
1000

Téléphone

+32491614618

Site Web

http://empa-pilots.eu/

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