ABOUT US:  EUROPEAN TUGOWNERS ASSOCIATION (E.T.A.)

Since its foundation in 1963, the "EUROPEAN TUGOWNERS ASSOCIATION" (E.T.A.) has brought together and promoted the interests of the European Owners and Operators of tugs and tenders serving vessels using the Ports of Europe. EUROPEAN TUGOWNERS ASSOCIATION Secretariat General Boulevard de la Woluwelaan 60 B-1200 BRUSSELS - BELGIUM tel.: +32 2 240.15.20 fax.: +32 (0)70.22.52.22 Skype:   email: h.callens@elegis.be

GOALS

• Exercising a united voice in respect of any matter affecting the towage industry. Communicating to its Members matters of importance affecting the industry. Defending the interests of its Members where and when challenged. Representing the views of the towage industry in the most important decision making supranational bodies and institutions such as the European Union, IMO and ILO. Inputting the contribution of the industry to the development of international standards covering (inter alia) safety, design, construction,equipment, operation of tugs/tenders and the social and working condition of tug crews. Responding on behalf of the industry in the event of a major incident involving tugs or tenders. It is the view of the current Executive Committee of the E.T.A that it must participate even more effectively with the shipping industry it serves and the regulatory bodies involved. A sharing of expertise and a sound knowledge of common concerns can only be beneficial. The Association recognises the importance of co-operation with other shipowners, through the European Community Shipping Association (ECSA), the International Salvage Union (ISU),  national tugowners organisations and other maritime interest groups such as the European Seaports Organisation (ESPO, the European Maritime Pilots Association (EMPA) and many other stakeholders. It is recognised however that the specific interests of tugowners also require special attention from their own Interest Group. The E.T.A. is also actively involved in the work programme of the Maritime Industries Forum (MIF). THE INDUSTRY Towage is an essential part of the maritime environment. After the merchant navy and the dredging sector, towage is the third important maritime activity in Europe. Without its services the ports could not operate and the vast majority of Europe's imports and exports would simply stop. Although the industry is one of the essential elements in the smooth running of the European economy, it is THE vital and primary guardian that provides the safety and environmental protection for European ports, approaches and coastlines. Working constantly outside the scope of public attention, ships are guided and guarded so as to prevent major casualties in the treacherous European coastal waters. Then, in the full glare of publicity, heroic acts of salvage are performed, when necessary, to save lives and protect the environment. The industry employs more than 10000 seafarers and invests in billions of Euros to train them and provide them with the high tech equipment needed to do the job. In terms of occupational safety, the towage sector sets the benchmark for the rest of the maritime industry. Towage is a highly competitive global market. The European tugowners recognised these competitive forces long before other technical maritime forces with the result that careful cost control and a keen pricing policy prevail across the industry. The reorganised European towage industry now operates worldwide, based on its competitive efficiency and its range of high tech product exports.