The Malta Maritime Law Association elected a new Executive Committee, confirming Dr. Ann Fenech as president of the Association, a post she is holding since December 2008. Dr Ivan Vella and Mrs Miriam Camilleri were re-elected as the Vice-Presidents, Dr Anthony Galea was re-confirmed as the Secretary and Dr Nicholas Valenzia as the Treasurer. Other members elected to the Executive Committee are Dr Daniel Aquilina, Dr Matthew Attard, DrChris Cini, Dr Christopher Dalli, Dr Jotham Scerri Diacono, Dr Suzanne Shaw and Dr Alison Vassallo.
The Malta Maritime Law Association (MMLA) is a non-profit making voluntary organization which was set up in 1994 with the aim of promoting the study and advancement of Maritime Law and its administration. The Association plays a key role in ensuring that the Maltese maritime legislative and regulatory infrastructure is constantly updated, amended and improved in order to enhance qualitative standards and consolidate Malta’s preeminent position as an international maritime service centre.
Instrumental in this context are the Sub-Committees which act as a point of reference for the maritime community. Here topical maritime issues are addressed and amendments to the national legislation or international legal instruments drafted.
The MMLA works in close cooperation with the authorities, acting as a consultant and advisor to the Merchant Shipping Directorate and fostering channels of communication between Government and industry. The MMLA is affiliated with the Comité Maritime International (CMI). The CMI is the oldest international organization in the maritime field formally established in 1897 and one of the first NGOs to be granted consultative status by the IMO. The CMI is responsible for the drafting of international maritime conventions and thus sends Observers to all meetings of the IMO Legal Committee.
In 2014, Dr. Ann Fenech was nominated and elected to the CMI Executive Council by the other national maritime law associations from around the world.This is the first time that a Maltese person has been elected to this highly prestigious international body.
At present the Association has 86 members which come from the various sectors of the shipping industry in Malta.