After 57 years, the association for maritime journalists ESPA is calling it quits. Its last president Danny Deckers looks back with pride, including the award for Maritime Figure of the Year, and hopes press colleagues can continue to meet.
On Tuesday 17 January, the non-profit organisation European Shipping Press Association (ESPA) held its very last general meeting in Antwerp. “After voting, it was decided to dissolve the asbl,” says chairman Deckers. “We were struggling with the fate of so many associations: a sharply declining membership and a reduced willingness of the public to come to events. Those who used to be able to welcome eighty people at a big-name lecture, for example, today have to be happy if 15 show up. It is unfortunate but society has now changed a lot due to the coronapanda, digitalisation and other factors.”
The professional category of writers on shipping, transport and logistics also changed profoundly. “The association started in 1966 when every newspaper employed at least one maritime journalist. The (Antwerp-based) specialised publisher De Lloyd even delegated 15 members to our association.”
European ambition
The club was founded in 1966 under the glowing name European Shipping Press Association. “From the start, there was ambition to grow into a European organisation. But in the end it remained mainly an Antwerp event,” Deckers says. From 2011, the association opened up to journalists and publicists writing about logistics and transport.”
ESPA wanted to establish closer cooperation between all those involved in maritime journalism and improve existing contacts between the press media and the maritime sector. This was put into practice with lectures by eminent speakers, participation in promotional trips by the Grouping of Port Interests of Antwerp, participation in the annual international day of the transport press and other meetings for the sector.
Own source of the Scheldt
Remarkably, in 1985 ESPA became co-owner of the source of the Scheldt in the French village of Gouy. The site of the spring was purchased, restored and rehabilitated, thanks to close cooperation between ESPA, Antwerp Port Authority and the city of Antwerp. In 2010, the association transferred its shares in the non-profit organisation that owns the Scheldt spring to Antwerp Port Authority. ESPA did retain two seats on the board of directors that manages the property.
ESPA issued a fine brochure on the Scheldt, from source to world port, in 2018. A day trip to the source was organised in 2019.
Continuation award
Since 1972, ESPA members have annually awarded the most deserving maritime person of the year. The first laureate of the medal of honour was port alderman Leo Delwaide. “In February 2022, we honoured Catrien Scheers, managing director of Antwerp shortsea operator Fast Lines Belgium, as Maritime Figure of 2021. With this fine name, we conclude the series in beauty. It is possible that the organisation of this award will continue in a new constellation,” Deckers said.
Further meeting in Gaarkeuken
The last board consisted of chairman Danny Deckers, treasurer Nicole Verstrepen, secretary and vice-chairman Philippe Holthof and board member Willy Ysewijn. “The asbl will be dissolved according to legal regulations. If there is anything left of the cash after deducting all expenses, we will transfer it to a charity yet to be determined, preferably in the maritime sector. We have all agreed that colleagues who wish to do so can still continue to meet. Every third Friday of the month we will meet informally in the Gaarkeuken at Kaai 110 in Antwerp,” Deckers concludes.
