This year’s European Maritime Pilots’ Association (EMPA) General Meeting was in Krakow. Poland election ended with long time board member Miguel Vieira de Castro taking over as President and Salvatore Mecca is the new vice president
Candidacy Salvatore Mecca
it is noteworthy that “ candidacy Salvatore Mecca as Vic president strongly supported by numerous delegates, was welcomed with enthusiasm – explained a note from Fedepiloti –, marking a significant return for the Italian representation on the board of the association”. The election took place during the 59th General Meeting of EMPA
Commander Mecca
“Commander Mecca, pilot of the Strait of Messina and the port of Gioia Tauro since 2010, member of the Fedepiloti Board of Directors since 2019 and Deputy Director since 2023, succeeds illustrious Italian predecessors such as Commanders Gianfranco Gasperini, Roberto Maggi and Fiorenzo Milani, continuing a tradition of excellence and commitment in the sector. His election is the recognition of a professional path characterized by competence and dedication, also demonstrated by his role as delegate to the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and Advisor to the Italian Administration” explained Fedepiloti.
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Captain Miguel Vieira de Castro President
During the General Meeting, the new President of EMPA, Captain Miguel Vieira de Castro (Portugal), a long-standing member of the Board of Directors, was also elected. Along with him, the new members of the Board of Directors were appointed: Stephane Pousset (France) and Gerhard Janssen (Germany), while Kaj Hahtonen (Finland) was re-elected. Warm thanks were expressed to the outgoing President, Erik Dalege, for his excellent leadership over the past four years, and to the outgoing Board of Directors, Henry Caubriere and Patrick Galvin.
Reject the request presented by Assopilot
“It is worth noting, during the assembly, the decision of the Member States to reject the request for association with EMPA presented by Assopiloti, a minority association representing the Port Pilots in Italy. The decision was taken in compliance with the statutory criteria of the association, aimed at ensuring a stable, effective and widely shared representation of national pilotage within the European organization” Fedepiloti recalled
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“The 59th EMPA General Meeting represented not only a moment of institutional renewal, but also a precious opportunity to strengthen cohesion among European maritime pilots and reaffirm the value of their function in the service of navigation safety and port efficiency. In a historical moment marked by technological transformations, environmental challenges and growing economic pressures, the role of EEMPAis confirmed as central in promoting a shared strategic vision and in guaranteeing high standards of professionalism, competence and independence.
In this scenario, the appointment of Commander Salvatore Mecca as Vice President testifies not only to the authoritativeness of the Italian component in the European panorama, but also to the concrete will to actively contribute to the construction of a solid, sustainable and safe future for maritime pilotage in Europe”.
Sources : Press Release + Shipping Italy
