European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) chairman leaves to join the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA).
Mr Verhoeven has been recruited by the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) to succeed Alfons Guinier who will be retiring as Secretary General next year.
"It is with much regret that I have to announce this news", said Mr Garcia-Milà, "Patrick will however not be leaving us immediately. It has been agreed with ECSA that he will not formally take up his new position before the summer, which gives us time to find a successor and prepare the transition. It also allows us to say farewell and thank Patrick for what will be almost thirteen years of service during the General Assembly and ESPO Conference in Varna, at the end of May."
"Leaving ESPO was not an easy decision as I am leaving behind a wonderful organisation with close friends, both in the membership and the secretariat", said Patrick Verhoeven, "But at the same time, the opportunity to serve the shipowner community provides the right kind of challenge at this stage of my career. The change comes after working nearly twenty years for the European ports business, both at ESPO and at FEPORT before. Succeeding a man of experience and skill like Alfons Guinier will be a tough job, but I look very much forward to it, with both enthusiasm and modesty."
Both ECSA and ESPO underline that the decision in no way hampers the excellent relation between both organisations.