The European Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ECASBA) is a sub-committee of FONASBA. Originally established in 1990 as FONASBA’s European Committee, ECASBA was created in 1993 to represent European brokers and agents in their dealings with the European Union. It is a Standing Committee of FONASBA and is represented on the Federation’s Executive Committee by its Chair, currently Mr. Marco Tak of the Netherlands, and Vice Chair, currently Mr. Jean-Pascal Bidoire of France.

ECASBA is the recognised consultative body for ship agents and ship brokers in EU Member States protects and promotes those professions through contact with the European Commission and other European Union institutions, both directly and in collaboration with other European maritime sector organisations. ECASBA is a member of the Trade Contact Group on customs issues, the expert subgroup of the High-Level Steering Group on the European Maritime Single Window environment and the Carrier Working Group on electronic traveller registration and authorisation hosted by eu-LISA.

ECASBA addresses any issues of European maritime policy that may affect its members. Current areas of attention and interest include:

• Customs and administrative procedures
• Electronic ship reporting, single windows, and port community systems
• Cargo reporting, safety, security, and veterinary checks
• Immigration and visa issues for seafarers and passengers

The Chair and Vice Chair are supported by an Advisory Panel whose members comprise representatives of ECASBA member associations, by the Secretariat in London and a representative in Brussels. Details of the Advisory Panel, and their contact details, can be found here.