Malta International Shipowners Association

Services:
Associations & Fora

Profile:
The Malta International Shipowners’ Association (MISA) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation and the collective voice of shipowners of Maltese-registered ships. Established in 2004, its primary objective is to foster and protect members’ interests at national, EU and international level, while promoting Malta’s shipping industry and strengthening the reputation of the Malta Flag.

Full membership is open to registered owners, charterers or registered lessors of Maltese-registered ships, with each vessel represented through its owning or bareboat chartering company. Membership reflects a genuine link with Malta. MISA members represent a substantial share of Maltese-registered tonnage across several vessel types and include reputable, high-profile shipowners from various countries. In October 2025, MISA also introduced an Associate Membership category for service providers linked to Maltese-registered shipowners, charterers or lessors.

The Association is governed by an Executive Committee of respected international shipping personalities. The current President is Ms Marily Fragkista, Vice President Dott. Emanuele Grimaldi, and Secretary/Treasurer Dr John Coustas. MISA is administered by a Secretariat based in Valletta within the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. It includes experienced executives and a legal officer and is led by the Secretary General, Dr Claudia Vella Casagrande, a lawyer with extensive experience in EU and international maritime affairs.

MISA represents and safeguards the collective voice of its members. It is a full member of ECSA | European Shipowners and the International Chamber of Shipping, and a corporate member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, the Malta Maritime Forum and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Malta Branch), while maintaining close ties with the Malta Maritime Law Association.

Its objectives include facilitating dialogue with Maltese authorities, advocating for Malta’s continued competitiveness as a shipping jurisdiction, contributing to national, EU and international policy discussions, particularly within the IMO and ILO, and representing members before relevant bodies.

For over twenty years, MISA has provided shipowners with a credible and effective platform supporting Malta’s standing as a leading shipping jurisdiction.