José Antonio Pérez Lorente was born in Ciutadella de Menorca (Spain) in 1978. He started his maritime career at the Polytechnic University of Barcelona in 1996, and from 2004 he began his work as Captain of the Merchant Navy on ferry type vessels. He complements his professional career as an auditor of quality, environmental and occupational safety management systems (ISO & ISPO), being also certified with the Diploma in Ship Management by Lloyds Maritime Academy.
In 2010 he started his career in the port sector, as head of Maritime Operations in the port of Algeciras and Ports Illes Baleares regional ports.
Since 2012 he has been Marine Pilot in Ciutadella de Menorca, Vigo and, currently, Palma de Mallorca. At the same time, he has been certified as VTS Operator and Supervisor by IALA.
He is currently Secretary General of the National Association of Marine Pilots in Spain (Colegio de Prácticos), and Vice President of the European Maritime Pilots Association (EMPA).