Malta International Shipowners' Association - MISA

19/01/2026

The Malta International Shipowners’ Association (MISA) has issued a statement expressing grave concern over recent incidents affecting commercial shipping and operations, which highlight the increasingly complex risk environment facing civilian vessels and seafarers.

MISA supports and aligns with the position expressed by the Maltese authorities, underlining that the safety of all seafarers remains paramount, and that freedom of navigation and strict adherence to international maritime law must be upheld.

While shipowners continue to strengthen safeguards, recent developments show the limits of what the industry can, acting alone, address. It is unacceptable and contrary to International maritime legal principles that civilian seafarers and merchant vessels are exposed to risks, harm or treated as targets arising from geopolitical or military developments beyond their control.

MISA supports international coordination and proportionate measures to safeguard civilian shipping and will continue to work with its members, the Maltese authorities and international partners to promote maritime safety and protect seafarers.

📄 MISA statement attached
🔗 Maltese Government statement: https://www.gov.mt/en/Government/DOI/Press%20Releases/Pages/2026/01/16/PR260062.aspx

01/06/2025

This week, the Malta International Shipowners' Association - MISA took part in the European Community Shipowners’ Associations’ (ECSA) Social Affairs Committee and formed part of the shipowner delegation at the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC) for Maritime Transport.

We also participated in important discussions with the European Transport Workers’ Federation on the implementation of the amendments to the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) into EU law ⚓

The meetings also received an inspiring presentation by Gerardo Vangioni of Mercy Ships — a charity-based NGO that operates hospital ships delivering surgical care and medical training in Africa. Mercy Ships currently operates a two-ship fleet — the Global Mercy and the Africa Mercy — both proudly flying the 🇲🇹 Maltese flag.

03/04/2025

The Malta International Shipowners' Association - MISA actively participated in this year’s European Shipping Summit ( ) which is ‘the’ event for EU/MS policy makers and the EU shipping industry to exchange views on a broad range of issues of significance to EU shipping. This year’s event came at a key moment at the start of this new EU legislature!
Discussants highlighted the importance of EU shipping to Europe’s external trade, food, energy and supply chain security and energy transition and called for an EU legislative and policy framework that ensures European shipping remains internationally competitive!
The recently published EU Shipping Competitiveness Study emphasised the need for urgent action as other jurisdictions are growing faster and posing competitiveness challenges. Particularly welcome were the words of recognition and support for the industry’s calls for action from EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas! Let’s now ensure this legislature delivers with concrete action!
📢 As part of the summit, MISA proudly co-hosted an event on the future of Ship Recycling wherein it invited the Maltese administration to the session - with Perit Karmenu Vella, ex-EU Commissioner and currently advisor to the Malta government, giving the key note address and Evangelia Pouli (Transport Malta) participating in the panel debate. Many thanks to our co-organisers, BIMCO, Norwegian Shipowners'​ Association (Norges Rederiforbund) and the Royal Belgian Shipowners' Association (KBRV).
MISA Executive Committee Members also featured prominently in the programme of the high level conference.
🥂MISA was happy to host a table of Malta representatives during the gala dinner: Alex Agius Saliba(MEP), Christopher Farrugia (Malta's Deputy Permanant Representative to the EU), Edward Vernon (Coreper I coordinator), Kurt Sant (Shipping attache), Evangelia Pouli (Transport Malta) and Martin Cauchi Inglott (Global Centre for Maritime Sanctions Monitoring)
📑We also took the opportunity to have important side meetings. In a good exchange with MEP Daniel Attard, who sits on the EP’s Transport Committee, we agreed on enhanced cooperation in order to ensure the priorities and needs of the Maltese shipping industry are adequately considered and catered for in EU policy making during this legislature.

📸 Here are some highlights from the summit, ship recycling event, gala dinner and bilateral meetings! A big thank you to the event organisers, our partners and guests for the fruitful exchanges.

Karmenu Vella The Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union Daniel Attard Alex Agius Saliba Chris Bonett European Commission

15/02/2025

Thank you to The Malta Chamber for organising this timely event and for inviting Malta International Shipowners' Association - MISA to join the distinguished panel discussion.
The event showcased that the decarbonisation of the maritime industry brings both challenges as well as opportunities. Given the international nature of shipping, international regulation and cooperation is fundamental.
We need all hands on deck, including through events like this, to drop any silos and enhance our cooperation - across sectors, countries and regions.
The energy transition of the industry demands a public-private partnership approach and a coordination across the maritime cluster- fuel producers and suppliers, shipyards, marine engine manufacturers, ports, as well as educational institutions, research and development institutes and banks/financial services providers.
Later this Spring, we hope the IMO will hopefully successfully deliver a comprehensive and balanced regulatory framework for a global measure on shipping emissions - which is crucial to secure a fast track for renewable energy projects and availability of alternative fuels in shipping.
In EU, this new legislature will need to ensure the European shipping industry is equipped with the tools to deliver its commitments while ensuring its growth and competitiveness -prioritising the investments and financing needed to enable the transition, the scaling up of innovative technologies, the production of sustainable alternative fuels and the creation of a dense network of bunkering infrastructure for alternative fuel and more clean energy marine hubs.
We look forward to more events like this to help create and enhance the necessary partnerships to drive the change!

Helga Mizzi; Chris Vassallo Cesareo; Ambassade de France à Malte

26/01/2025

The Malta International Shipowners' Association - MISA warmly welcomes the release of the crew of the , more than a year after they were unlawfully seized by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on 19 November 2023.
While this news brings relief to the seafarers, their families and the global shipping community, this incident also serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats seafarers face in high-risk regions like the Red Sea and underscores the vital importance of international collaboration in safeguarding maritime security.
MISA supports the calls by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) for nations to continue to prioritise the protection of seafarers and maritime operations from such attacks in the future. Attacks on shipping are a breach of international law and threaten the lives of innocent seafarers and the safety of merchant shipping. Ensuring safety and stability in international waters is essential for the protection of seafarers and the uninterrupted global supply of goods amidst geopolitical instabilities.

'Innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions," Arsenio Dominguez , Secretary General, IMO. Read the IMO Statement here: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/Statement-on-release-of-Galaxy-Leader.aspx #:~:text=%22I%20welcome%20the%20release%20of,while%20transiting%20the%20Red%20Sea.

"We call on all nations to support our seafarers and shipping so that this does not happen again.” Guy Platten, Secretary General, ICS. Read the ICS Statement here: https://www.ics-shipping.org/statement/statement-from-guy-platten-international-chamber-of-shipping-secretary-general-following-the-release-of-the-galaxy-leader-crew/

International Maritime Organization - IMO

IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez has welcomed the release of the crew of the MV Galaxy Leader, after more than a year in captivity.

23/12/2024