In partnership with Wilfred Sultana & Associates (WSA), the International Superyacht Society (ISS) is delighted to announce the Superyacht Industry Seminar, ‘Malta, a Better Destination for Superyachts!‘, taking place in the lovely Mediterranean yacht charter destination – Malta on Wednesday 11th September 2013. Transport Malta (TM), the Government regulator for all modes of transport in Malta, is once again participating.
Dr. Chris Cardona—Malta’s Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business
Further to the traditional support of the ISS, the Malta Seminar—being held under the Distinguished Patronage of the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business—will see for the first time the participation of the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and that of the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA).
Leading industry personalities will be in Malta on the 11th September to address a Seminar related to superyachts in general and the Malta yachting industry in particular. This is being held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, a deluxe 5-Star resort situated within the sixteenth century fortifications of Malta’s capital city of Valleta.
“We are most enthralled with the involvement of three such names of excellence in the maritime scenario. This together with the fact that all three entities will be represented by high ranking officials indeed gives the Malta event character and credibility”, remarked organiser, Wilfred Sultana.
Wilfred Sultana—WSA and Host of Seminar
Seminar and Speakers
Ken Hickling, President of the International Superyacht Society and Global Superyacht Business Development Manager at AkzoNobel presentation bears the same heading as that of the official title of the Seminar namely “Malta, a Better Destination for Superyachts!”; he will outline a generic and positive approach in how to highlight what actually constitutes ‘a Better Destination for Superyachts’.
Ken Hickling—President of the International Superyacht Society and Global Superyacht Business Development Manager at AkzoNobel
“A Career in the Superyacht Industry” is the title of a presentation by Joey Meen, Honorary Secretary and GUEST Director of the Professional Yachting Association. The essence of this theme has prompted the organisers to extend an invitation to young Officers and Officer Cadets as well as to lecturers and career guidance of the Maritime Institute at the Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST) to attend the Seminar.
This topic features in a new concept in this seminar during which a panel of three experts will have the opportunity to further analyze the subject matter immediately following the presentation by Ms. Meen. In this case the technical and professional panel will be made up of Aurelio Micallef Grimaud, Director, Institute of Mechanical Engineering MCAST; Capt Reuben Lanfranco, Maritime Consultant & Marine Surveyor; and, Geoffrey Fisher, a Maltese Head Chef on a 60m (196’10ft) superyacht.
Joey Meen—Honorary Secretary and Guest Director of the Professional Yachting Association
An interesting topic with many aspects open for discussion is Yacht Chartering, the next subject making the Malta Seminar agenda. An “Overview of Yacht Charter in the Mediterranean” is the title of the presentation being given by Fiona Maureso, Vice President, Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association and Charter Director at Northrop and Johnson.
Following Ms. Maureso’s presentation, a panel including Peter Fiorini Lowell, Director, S.&D. Yachts Ltd,; Dr. Alison Vassallo, Senior Associate, Fenech & Fenech Advocates; and, Kurt Fraser, Sales & Marketing Director, Camper & Nicholsons Marinas Ltd., will further evaluate the topic under review.
Fiona Maureso—Vice President, Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association and Charter Director at Northrop and Johnson
Malta’s local concerns are also being represented. Ivan Sammut, Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, Merchant Shipping Directorate will expand on Transport Malta’s initiatives and strategies in favour of the industry: Yachting in Malta: a Holistic Package. Malta’s recognition as the largest ship register in Europe and the seventh largest in the world has given ‘The Malta Flag’ an internationally acclamation as ‘The Flag of Confidence’.
Finally, two well-verse professionals, Dr. Max Ganado, Partner at Ganado Advocates and Ms. Christine Cassar Naudi, Senior Associate at Ganado Advocates, will present, “Fiscal Incentives and Financing Aspects for Superyachts,” a theme of great relevance to the industry. The experience of the two speakers will yield a most informative and motivating presentation.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Chris Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, responsible for maritime affairs in general will be the main speaker at the September Seminar.
“In administration for just five month Minister Cardona has keenly engineered the launch of a proposed transformation project of nearly 175,000 square metres of waterside land into a state of the art Maritime Hub. This development, which has attracted 28 international expressions of interest, makes the Minister’s participation in the September Seminar more eagerly expected with all involved being keen to learn more of the ‘new’ Government’s perceptions and plans for the coming years where Malta’s Yachting Industry is concerned”, remarked the Seminar’s Host Wilfred Sultana.
Additional Highlights of the Malta Seminar
The programme of activities making up the Yachting in Malta Superyacht Industry Seminar 2013 also includes the launch of the Malta Professional Yachting Association (MPYA). This organization and its incumbent membership give Malta identity in the international regional network of the worldwide professional body for yacht crew.
Refit and repair services and facilities are amongst the prime identifications Malta enjoys as a destination associated superyachts and the superyacht industry. Therefore, Yacht Refit & Repair in Malta will be one of the subjects to be presented and discussed at the September Seminar. To address the subject, a panel of three professionals involved in the yachting industry in Malta will discuss and analyze the yacht refit and repair sector. The role of the panel is to highlight the sector’s strengths as well as its weaknesses in order to identify what improvements are best for the future. Panelists include: Pierre Balzan, Managing Director, Melita Marine Group; Gino Cutajar, President Super Yacht Industry Network—Malta and Managing Director, Cutrico Marine; as well as Ing. Paul L. Cardona, Managing Director and Managing Surveyor, of MICS Limited (Malta).
The Chairperson of the Seminar will be Dr. Anthony Galea B.A. LL.D, Partner, DF Advocates and also Secretary of the Malta Maritime Law Association.
Seminar Support and Sponsors
The sponsors of this third Yachting in Malta Seminar are Camper & Nicholsons‘ Grand Harbour Marina, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Kirton & Co Ltd, Medcomms Limited, Melita Marine Group, Palumbo Malta Superyachts and S&D Yachts Malta.
Wilfred Sultana & Associates introduced ‘Yachting in Malta’, the Directory to Malta’s yachting services and facilities way back in 1976. Last November the 10th Edition in the Directory’s series was published for distribution throughout 2013-2014.
