Juan Riva, CEO of SUARDIAZ Group, Delivered His Induction Speech at the Royal Academy of the Sea as a Full Member
The induction ceremony of Mr. Juan Riva Francos as Full Member of the Royal Academy of the Sea took place yesterday, April 9, 2025, in the Auditorium of the Institute of Engineering of Spain. His speech was eloquently responded to on behalf of the Academy by Fellow Member Mr. José María Blanco Núñez.
Following the reading and its formal reply, the Director of the Royal Academy of the Sea, Mr. Carlos Cremades Carceller, presented the academic with the medal and official diploma, thereby confirming the effective admission of Mr. Juan Riva Francos as a Full Member of the Royal Academy of the Sea.
The event was attended by authorities, academy members, prominent professionals from the sector, family members, friends, colleagues of the newly inducted academic, and other guests. All of them enjoyed a pleasant and relaxed gathering within the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony.
Under the title “The Great Transformation of Maritime Transport Seen from the Bridge of a Centenary Shipping Company,” the speech focused on the profound changes that the maritime sector has undergone over the past century, highlighting the importance of combining tradition with innovation to face the challenges of the future.
With extensive experience in the industry, Juan Riva combines his role as CEO of SUARDIAZ Group with various positions in major national and international business organizations. He is the only Spanish shipowner to have chaired the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), where he currently serves on the Board of Directors.
In addition, Riva is a Member of the Board of Directors of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Vice President of ANAVE (having served as President from 2003 to 2009), Member of the Transport Council of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), Chairman of the Spanish Naval Committee of Bureau Veritas, Member of the European Advisory Board of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, and Member of the Governing Board of the Royal Spanish Naval League.
SUARDIAZ’s roots in the maritime business date back to 1912, with the foundations of the Group being laid in 1943. Drawing on its expertise in maritime transport, the company has diversified into other logistics areas, giving rise to SUARDIAZ Group, a global shipowner and logistics operator offering a wide range of transport solutions designed to deliver the highest level of service to its customers.
