The Malta Maritime Forum expresses its strongest gratitude to Capt Jesmond Mifsud for his sterling service to the Maritime Industry in his role of Chief Pilot from which he has recently stepped down.

During his term, Capt Mifsud was instrumental in setting up the Malta Maritime Pilots Cooperative in 2003 as part of a forward-looking transformation process that reformed Pilotage Services for the Grand Harbour and the Port of Marsaxlokk.

Such was the success of this bold move pioneered by Capt Mifsud, that the Cooperative since went on to establish for itself additional commercial entities in the sectors of Seafarer Education, Maritime Pollution Prevention and Control and Conveyances.

The two decades of Capt Mifsud’s tenure as Chief Pilot were characterised by solid leadership and dedication to the maritime industry, ensuring safe and efficient navigation of vessels entering and exiting our ports through excellent liaison and close cooperation with other important stakeholders principally Ship Captains, towage and terminal operators as well as the Harbour Master.

Indeed, during this time, Capt Mifsud played a key role in rendering possible the calls of an ever-increasing size of ships into Malta Freeport and the Grand Harbour. These vessels include the MSC Mette, CMA CGM’s LNG-powered fleet of container megacarriers and the LNG-powered MSC World Europa in the case of cruise liners. Jesmond’s foresight in investing in cutting-edge full mission-bridge simulators proved most instrumental in minimizing the risks involved and enabling the decision making processes for similar operations.

Capt Mifsud has served as a fine ambassador for Malta’s Maritime Pilots during his normal course of duty and also whilst representing his colleagues and the Industry in official fora both in Malta and abroad. He enjoys an unrivalled reputation with most captains on board vessels calling at Malta’s two principal harbours as well as with the rest of the industry represented by the Forum in which he continues to play an active part.

Karin Grech
Author: Karin Grech