Sotiris took his first steps in the world of shipping as a policy advisor in the European Parliament back in 2010. He joined ECSA as Director of Environment and Safety in 2020 and took on the role of Secretary General in 2022. Before leading ECSA, Sotiris held several positions in different stakeholder organisations, such as the European Sea Ports Organisation and the NGO Transport & Environment. Sotiris is a qualified lawyer, with degrees from the University of Thessaloniki, the University of Athens and King’s College London. In 2008, he was awarded the European Citizen’s Prize of the European Parliament as member of the “G700” blog for promoting intergenerational justice. When he is not talking about shipping, he takes care of his garden and he explores new culinary destinations in Brussels.

Katalin is a Senior Director for Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance and embarked on her journey with ECSA in 2019. Within this capacity, she orchestrates the ECSA Policy Hub, oversees social affairs and taxation matters, and focuses on raising awareness of the importance of ship finance with EU regulators. Katalin is trained as a risk manager and investment analyst as well as in law. She studied in Budapest, Maastricht and Cambridge and she holds a PhD degree in sustainable finance. Beyond her professional pursuits, Katalin finds solace and joy in her role as a devoted mother of three and an avid sailing enthusiast. She is a believer in life-long education. As a dog lover, she has two cats.

Luisa is a Senior Director for Shipping Policy and Communications. She is responsible for all topics related to the competitiveness of the industry, transport and logistics policy, trade and market access. Luisa also oversees the Communications strategy of ECSA and manages the day-to-day communication activities of the association together with ECSA’s communications team. Prior to joining ECSA in 2020, Luisa worked for 10 years as an EU affairs consultant in Brussels for ADS Insight and Weber Shandwick, focusing on maritime transport, sustainability, and circular economy. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics and Management of Government and International Organizations from Bocconi University in Milan. When she is not in the office, you can find her riding horses and hiking mountains around the world – currently looking to complete the traverse of the Pyrenees as a long-term project. She is owned by two rescue cats and a retired horse, and is looking to add to the zoo.

Fanny is the Senior Director for Climate, Environment and Safety and she also leads ECSA’s maritime safety and offshore. She has been with ECSA since 2018. Originally from Britanny, she has been working in EU affairs in Brussels since 2007. She studied EU law at the University of Rennes, France, and at the University College Cork, Ireland. She is fluent in English and Italian on top of her native French. In her spare time, she enjoys planning her next travel by reading extensively on the destination. She also likes eating local or traditional food, especially French traditional cheeses.

Evina is a Policy Advisor on Shipping Policy and Communications and joined ECSA in 2022. She has studied International and European Studies and she holds a master’s degree in Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University. Before jumping into the shipping sector, Evina worked in UNESCO and dealt with social issues as a project coordinator in various institutions. Her biggest passion is traveling, experiencing new cultures and capturing moments through her camera. She is an expert at eating but she has extra weak culinary skills. She sails on summers and wherever she is asked why she joined the maritime industry her response is “Cause you can never get bored in this sector”.

Marius is a Policy Advisor on Security, Taxation and Finance and joined ECSA in 2021. Before his engagement with shipping, Marius had worked in the European Parliament and as policy officer in a European association where he was dealing with topics related to cybersecurity and alternative fuels. He studied History at the university of Liège, before getting the EU virus and undertaking a master in EU studies at the free University of Brussels. Actively learning Dutch to unlock his inner Belgian, Marius can be found outside of work practicing fencing or badminton, when he is not playing chess with colleagues.

Ulrik is a Policy Advisor on Environment & Maritime Safety and joined ECSA in 2023. He has previously worked in the European Parliament as a Political Advisor and held positions within the Danish government, where his work focused on environmental, agricultural and EU policy. He holds a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen. When Ulrik is not navigating the seas of policy, he swaps his tie for a football jersey to cheer for his favourite team or dominates the squash court like a (semi)pro. But his true talent lies in the kitchen, where he is an aspiring MasterChef of Denmark! Early mornings find Ulrik hitting the pavements of Brussels, and if you dare, he'll challenge you to a run in Parc du Cinquantenaire.

Lasse finished his studies in journalism from Danish School of Media and Journalism in 2019 and then he worked with communications in the EU Information Centre of the Danish Parliament. He has been living in Belgium since 2021, where he studied a master’s in communication studies at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and worked with the Greens Group of the European Parliament before joining ECSA in March 2023. Lasse likes cycling (both riding and watching) and beers, and consequently feels very well at home in Belgium. When he is not riding his bike or screaming his lungs out on the cobbled hills of the De Ronde van Vlaanderen, he particularly likes to spend his time cooking, growing chillis (for cooking), writing and reading with his cat, Loes, in his lab.

Marleen is ECSA’s Office Manager since 2024. She studied Business and Languages at UCLL, and she is a qualified logistics manager. From Belgian beginnings to a global gypsy, Marleen hopped from Ghent, via Antwerp to Leuven and beyond, hitting the UK, Kenya, Dubai, and Congo along the way. When she is on holidays she is normally chasing penguins in Antarctica, then embarking on a movable feast through South America, and finally, conquering Costa Rica via rafting. When she is taking it slow in Europe, she snaps wildlife pics and dive into books faster than you can say "Bonjour."

Linn is a Policy Assistant at ECSA, joining the team in September 2024. She contributes to ECSA’s work in areas such as Environment, Industrial Strategy, and Communications. Linn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and a Master’s degree in Development Studies with a major in Political Science, both from Lund University. With a background in communications, representation, and promotion, Linn has previously worked at the European Parliament and the Embassy of Sweden in Iceland. Additionally, she is trained as a ride and attraction operator, capable of managing roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and carousels. Linn enjoys traveling and has lived in five different countries. Besides being an aspiring crochet expert and a true-crime series enthusiast, she also enjoys adventurous activities such as skydiving and bungee jumping.