Thomas Smith Group hosted key shipping clients and suppliers to a reception at the Eden Cinemas, followed by the screening of the movie ‘Captain Phillips’, on Wednesday 23rd October.

The event was a tribute to Maersk Line, to key Thomas Smith shipping clients and suppliers, as well as to organisations who helped with parts of the film production that took place locally. Leaders from the Malta Freeport, Film Commission, Valletta Gateway Terminals, and Valletta Cruise Port attended the reception and screening – all played crucial roles in the filming of ‘Captain Phillips’ in Malta. “Given that Thomas Smith is the exclusive agent for Maersk Line in Malta, the release of the movie in local cinemas was an opportunity for the company to bring clients, suppliers and Maersk Line representatives together,” stated Joe Gerada, Managing Director of Thomas Smith Group. “Thomas Smith was also assigned the ‘Captain Phillips’ project as a freight forwarder and port agent throughout the film production in Malta. Having such a close relationship with Maersk Line and the filming of the movie itself, sitting through the screening was indeed a moving experience. It felt like they were hijacking my ship! I got very involved in the movie." 

Luca Borgnino, Maersk Line Mediterranean Regional Sales Manager, attended the event on behalf of Maersk Line. “We seek to strengthen the partnership with our customers for years to come, so meeting Maltese clients was without a doubt a real pleasure.”

The action-thriller is a true story of Captain Richard Phillips who was master of MV Maersk Alabama, the Maersk Line containership hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. The Captain spent five days hostage of the pirates before being rescued. 

Part of the movie was filmed in Malta. Thomas Smith Group provided continuous assistance throughout the filming. Pre-production and on-site meetings with the Marine coordinator and local Maritime vendors were critical to the success of the various shoots in Maltese waters. Dan Malone, Marine Coordinator on the set of ‘Captain Phillips’ expressed his gratitude to Thomas Smith for its professionalism and attention to detail given throughout the filming in Malta. “We couldn’t have done it without you! I was particularly impressed with the hands on approach to the day-to-day ship operations.”