The Valencia Shipowners Association yesterday held its traditional annual dinner, which was attended by 140 people connected with the shipping sector and the business activities in the ports. The event also brought together representatives of government, the Valencia business world and the port.

Vicente Boluda, Chairman of the Association, was accompanied by the Mayor of Valencia, Rita Barberá, the regional Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Mario Flores, Senator Joan Lerma and the Chairman of the Port Authority, Rafael Aznar. Representing the Valencia business and port communities were Arturo Virosque, Chairman of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, Rafael Ferrando, Chairman of Cierval, Francisco Pons, Chairman of the Valencia Businessmen’s Association (AVE) and the Chairman of the Valencia Port Foundation, Rafael del Moral.

In his address, Vicente Boluda asked the authorities to support this business sector, which was collaborating on projects such as the America’s Cup and the Formula 1 circuit: “We want you to support us because we are the main ones suffering, though we are happy to do so. We cooperate so that Valencia can grow and so that both the city and the region of Valencia can have the international standing that they now enjoy”.

Mario Flores and Rita Barberá both agreed on the importance of the Port for their respective administrations, “as a strategic element for development and competitiveness”.

The Valencia Shipowners Association was founded on 17 May 1902. Since 1990, the Association has commemorated its anniversary with a dinner to which the various players linked to the shipping business are invited.