Capt. Áine Hyde and Capt. Bill Kavanagh attended the CESMA Council Meeting and AGA in May on behalf of the IIMM. The event took place over two days in Bilbao and is detailed in the reports below from Bill & Áine.
CESMA Council Meeting 2026.05.28 – Report by Capt. Bill Kavanagh
Capt. Dimitar Dimitrov Ph.D, President of CESMA opened the meeting and welcomed council members. The meeting is being held in the museum which is part of the original Bilbao shipyard. This is the first CESMA meeting in Bilbao in 22 years.
Twenty-four members of CESMA attended the meeting, including two members from the Faeroe Island attending for the first time. A ‘Resolution Committeee’ was formed and includes Aine Hyde, Wilhelm Mertens, and Bill Kavanagh.
The minutes of the meeting of the previous council meeting May 2025 were accepted. The financial situation is good and a small increase in car expenses was agreed.
The General Secretary Capt. Hubert Ardillon gave a summary of CESMA activities including attendance at European Maritime Day in Cork. He thanked Capt. Trevor Crowley for his assistance in Cork. Issues addressed in the past year included the shadow fleet and the criminalisation of the shipmaster. The problem of arresting the ship’s master for other crew members illegal actions such as drug smuggling were discussed and the present meeting will address this problem by writing a resolution which will be forwarded to the European Commission.
It was agreed that CESMA needs a greater connection with the Commission. CESMA co-operates with the European Maritime Safety Agency, the Nautical Institute, the International Maritime Organisation and the European Maritime Pilots Association.
CESMA online Board meetings will be held online quarterly.
Four new and edited resolutions were drafted and address: the Criminalisation of the Shipmaster, the restiction of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz, the problems of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the increased use of artificial intelligence in the shipping industry.
A discussion took place about seafarers’ taxation systems. Also, a new global law has been enforced to remove wage descrimination based on seafarers’ countries of residence. Therefore, an officer of the watch from the Philipines will receive a similar salary scale as a Western European seafarer.
The next CESMA Council Meetings and Annual General Assemblies will be held in Hamburg (2027) and Split (2028).
CESMA Annual General Assembly 2026.05.29 – Report by Capt. Áine Hyde
The CESMA AGA Bilbao 2026 gathering brought together maritime leaders, industry experts, and policymakers to address some of the most pressing challenges and developments facing the sector.
The event opened with a welcome address from Captain Dimitar Dimitrov, President of CESMA, who set the tone for the discussions by highlighting the importance of collaboration and leadership in navigating the rapidly evolving maritime landscape. This was followed by introductory remarks from Mr. Andima Ormaetxe, President of the Port of Bilbao, and Mr. Director of Basque Government Ports, who underscored the strategic role of ports in Kolda Goitia, supporting sustainable growth and innovation.
A central feature of the programme was the panel session, bringing together distinguished speakers including Mr. Andima Ormaetxe, Mrs. Caroline Ruiz Spence (DNV), Captain Antonio Raggi, and Captain Giovanni Lettich.
Mr. Ormaetxe provided insight into the Port of Bilbao’s ongoing transition toward decarbonisation. He emphasised the increasing impact of European environmental regulations on transport and the need for ports to remain competitive while adapting to these changes. A key highlight was the announcement that a new hydrogen plant—an important step in reducing emissions—is expected to be completed within the next six months.
From a technological and operational perspective, Mrs. Caroline Ruiz Spence of DNV addressed the growing importance of cybersecurity in the maritime sector. Her presentation explored current trends driven by digitalisation, noting how increased connectivity introduces new vulnerabilities. She stressed the importance of safeguarding ships, crews, and onboard systems from cyber threats, offering practical considerations for risk mitigation.
Captain Antonio Raggi then turned attention to the critical issue of navigation safety, focusing on GNSS interference, including jamming and spoofing. He described these phenomena as a rising systemic threat with significant implications for maritime operations, particularly in high-risk areas where reliable positioning is essential.
A dynamic open discussion followed, centred on the Strait of Hormuz. Moderated by Captain Dimitar Dimitrov, and Capt. Hubert Ardillion, participants examined the complex situation affecting vessels and crews in the Persian Gulf, highlighting operational risks and humanitarian concerns.
Attention then shifted to seafarer wellbeing and safety, with a review of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) 2025 Report. The discussion reinforced the importance of maintaining high safety standards and adapting to emerging risks. CESMA’s role in representing maritime professionals and contributing to policy dialogue was also reaffirmed.
A key working session focused on the development and refinement of the resolutions, with participants engaging in detailed discussions to ensure clarity and alignment on critical issues affecting the sector.
The event also served as a platform to promote future collaboration, with an invitation extended to attend the Global Compass Forum, scheduled to take place in Varna on 8–9 September 2026. This annual international maritime forum aims to continue the dialogue on innovation, safety, and sustainability within the industry.
The AGA Bilbao 2026 concluded with an official closing, marking the end of a comprehensive and forward-looking programme that highlighted both the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of maritime transport.
We would like to thank Áine and Bill for representing our Institute and for their reports. As mentioned in Bills report, the next CESMA Council Meetings and Annual General Assemblies will be held in Hamburg (2027) and Split (2028).
The official mintues from the council meeting and the AGA, alongwith the resolutions agreed at the AGA, cound be found in a seperate post in the technical papers section here: https://mastermariners.com/2026/06/16/cesma-2026-minutes-resolutions/
