Supporting the Malta Flag: Malta International Shipowners Association

The Malta International Shipowners Association is a voluntary not for profit organisation established by a public deed in 2004. It is the main objective of MISA, declared in its statute, to foster and protect the interests of its members, both nationally and internationally, whilst promoting the interests of the Malta international shipping industry and further the reputation of the Malta Flag.

Current MISA membership represents a substantial amount of tonnage of various types of ships registered in Malta operated by owners and operators of high stature from several countries. This, together with the affiliation of MISA with international and national shipping and commercial bodies vindicate the vision of a national association international in nature serving an industry indispensable for global sustainable development.

Heartened by the record of the past MISA is immersed today in the vision of the future.

The growth of the Malta international ship register to one of the largest flags in the world evolved an imperative need amongst shipowners for a national association international in nature that could effectively represent their views and interests at national, regional and international levels. MISA was the initiative of well known reputable and forward looking owners of Maltese registered ships, led by shipowners Nikolaos Pappadakis and John Lyras and ably assisted in Malta by Joseph Curmi. The first general meeting in 2005 elected Mr Pappadakis as the first President serving until his retirement in 2014. Mr Curmi was appointed the first General Secretary. On their retirement the AGM elected Mr Pappadakis as President Emeritus and appointed Mr Curmi as General Secretary Emeritus.

Membership and Affiliations
Membership with MISA is open to companies registered owners or bareboat charterers of Maltese ships. It is complimentary to registration and demonstrates a genuine link with Malta that goes well beyond economic or operational necessity. True to its dual international and national nature MISA is a corporate member of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations, associate member of the International Chamber of Shipping and, corporate member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the Malta Maritime Forum and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Malta Branch and, has a special relation with the Malta Chamber of SMEs and the Malta Maritime Law Association.

MISA maintains close links with the International Maritime Organisation, industry bodies, national shipowners’ associations and maritime administrations, particularly the Maltese Administration and the shipowners and operators themselves. Through its membership with ECSA and ICS and strong links with international maritime organisations, MISA gives its members a voice in Europe and international fora, a stronger voice within the industry and with the flag Administration.

Governship and Administration
Every three years the AGM elects an Executive Committee. In turn this elects the President, Vice President and Secretary/ Treasurer, currently Ms Melina Travlos, Dott Emanuele Grimaldi and Ms Marily Frangista respectively. The eleven person strong committee features prominent, active and highly respected shipping personalities. Ms Travlos is the MISA Member on the ECSA Board of Directors. Ms Frangista and General Secretary Lino Vassallo are Alternate members. MISA Vice President Dott Grimaldi and Executive Committee Member Mr Lyras, both former ECSA Presidents and, EC member Mr Christian Cigrang are, in a capacity outside MISA, also ECSA board members. The Association is administered by a Secretariat based in Malta. General Secretary is Mr Lino Vassallo the former head of the Malta maritime administration and Malta’s representative to IMO and EMSA.

Activities
Issues raised at IMO and European Union institutions make it necessary for MISA, in liaison, with other bodies to assess their impact and articulate the shipowners’ views at the decision making bodies of the Maltese Administration and regional and international organisations. Since its early days MISA has been active in a number of fields in the interest of owners and operators of Malta flag ships, including a wide spectrum of corporate and operational matters both generic and specific in nature.

Vision and Mission
MISA firmly shares the vision of the international shipping industry prompted and supported by a wider vision: the global attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are tied to a sustainable shipping and maritime industry. Safe, secure and clean shipping and, freedom of navigation are crucial. But there can be no shipping without the entrepreneurship of the shipowner, the knowledge and experience of the ship operator and, the high level of training, skills and commitment of the seafarers, aptly described as essential workers. MISA will stay true to the raison d’être for its creation with the vision of a sustainable green shipping industry to ensure a smooth worldwide flow of trade to the benefit of all the people of the world.

Conclusion
MISA remains steady as she goes on its mission with a dynamic vision pursued through an even stronger membership representative of the number of ships that fly the Malta flag and the diversity of the fleet and its ownership.