The wider Brussels community gathered on 12 September 2013 to bid farewell to Alfons Guinier, who retired as Secretary General of the ECSA on 1 September, after having served the organisation for more than 22 years. Representatives of EU institutions, other transport-related organisations, national shipowners associations, members of the press, family and friends attended the farewell reception at the Cercle de la Lorraine in Brussels
 
Starting the night were speeches by the new ECSA Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven and the ECSA President Juan Riva, thanking Alfons Guinier for his invaluable service and making special reference to many of his character attributes that won him esteem over the years.
 
Mr Maximilian Strotmann, member of the cabinet of Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, underlined the importance of ECSA as a trustworthy and reliable partner. He praised Mr Guinier’s personal style, his honesty, directness and expertise, qualifying his approach as “loyal opposition”.
 
Mr Guinier made a short overview of the longstanding relationship between ECSA and the Commission, thanked colleagues for the fruitful cooperation they have had over the many years and finally wished his successor the best of luck and success in his new endeavor at the helm of ECSA.
 
Also, during the event, the new 2012-2013 ECSA Annual Report was presented
 
Photos from the event can be found here