H. Mifsud Shipping

H. Mifsud Shipping Ltd is a Maltese shipping company whose work all sits within the maritime trade. Its core job is to act as the local representative for ships that call at Malta, whether they berth in a harbour or stay offshore, and to arrange what those vessels need while they are here. That includes fuel, supplies, repairs, brokerage and chartering.

The head office is in Floriana, the fortified suburb that sits directly outside Valletta, so the team is a few minutes from the Grand Harbour. On VisitMalta.co.uk the business is listed in our courier and freight directory for Malta, because it also handles shipping and forwarding for cargo.

A family business with deep maritime roots

Its shareholders and managers bring experience from nearly four generations in shipping. Its maritime consultant, Chev. Comm. Silvio Mifsud, began in the trade in 1929 working with his father Carmelo, who ran a firm called C & G Mifsud Brothers. Silvio Mifsud died in July 2002, and his son Hubert Mifsud carried on in shipping in Malta and abroad.

Hubert C Mifsud is named as chairman and managing director, and the Commercial and Marketing department includes Stefanos R Mifsud. For a visitor or a new client this matters mainly as a sign of continuity: the people running the agency today come from a family that has handled ships in these harbours for close to a century.

Port agency, bunkering and chartering

Agency representation is the heart of the business. A port agent is the local contact who tells a ship's owner or charterer what to do on arrival: berthing, customs paperwork, crew needs and anything else a vessel requires. H. Mifsud Shipping offers this for ships in port and offshore, together with repairs, supplies and brokerage.

Bunkering, meaning the supply of marine fuel, is a major activity in Maltese waters. Bunkering licences were liberalised in 1996 and six additional local and international operators have since been licensed, so the market has grown considerably. The agency also arranges chartering, which means finding and fixing a vessel for a cargo or a voyage.

Shipping and forwarding is a further service line. The business has acted as General Agents since 1993, and its staff are trained to handle all types of delivery. Enquirers who need a consignment moved can compare this with other firms in the directory and a yacht broker such as 73 Marine for vessel sales.

Transhipment, heavy lift and ship registration

Container transhipment is offered in partnership with Malta Freeport at Marsaxlokk in the south of the island. Transhipment means moving containers from one ship to another at an intermediate port. The terminal offers 1.2 kilometres of berthing space, 11 ship to shore cranes, warehouse and oil storage facilities, and a handling capacity of one million TEU a year across its first two terminals. A TEU is a standard twenty foot container.

For bulky cargo the company represents a specialist heavy lift firm. Its listed capabilities include lifting with hydraulic hoists, transport to drilling platforms by sea, river transport by barge, loading on roll on roll off ships, road transport on supporting structures and movement on spaced trailers.

Ship registration under the Maltese flag is also part of the portfolio. Owners who need to set up a vessel or holding structure may also want a corporate services provider or advice from CLA Malta on company and tax matters.

Cruise liners and naval visits

Cruise liners that sail mainly in the Mediterranean are a long-standing part of the workload. The business plans well ahead to speed up berthing and customs, supplies the ship with fuel and provisions, and can arrange excursion facilities for passengers. Staff are trained to run short liner visits smoothly. If you are sailing into Malta on a cruise, the port call may well be handled by an agency like this one, and you can plan time ashore with our Valletta guide and a visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, which look over the harbour.

Naval vessels are served too. Malta's neutrality has made the island a frequent port of call for visiting warships, with the usual needs being: fuel, fresh water, stores and temporary telecommunications. The team also organises island tours and excursions for navy crews.

Contacting the business

The office is at Sir Luigi Preziosi Square in Floriana, within easy reach of Valletta and the Three Cities across the water. Insurers and brokers such as ACCORD Insurance Brokers may be useful for cargo or vessel cover, and our guide to Malta gives wider context for first-time visitors and investors.

Fees are not published, so the best first step is a short note describing the vessel, cargo or service you need. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to H. Mifsud Shipping, who will reply to you directly.