An honour that goes beyond personal recognition, affirming shipping as a geopolitical, economic and industrial pillar of the global system
The appointment of Emanuele Grimaldi as an Honorary Member of the National Order of Merit of Malta carries a significance that clearly transcends ceremonial protocol. Conferred on 13 December—Malta’s Republic Day—during the official ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, the honour stands as an institutional acknowledgment of shipping’s strategic role in sustaining modern economies and safeguarding global supply chains in times of systemic crisis.
The National Order of Merit is Malta’s highest distinction, awarded by the President of the Republic upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the nation and strengthened international relations. In the case of Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group and President of the International Chamber of Shipping since 2022, the award acquires a clear political and economic dimension. It recognises a long-standing vision of shipping not as a marginal industrial sector, but as the backbone of globalisation—an essential, resilient infrastructure capable of ensuring continuity, security and economic stability.
Under his leadership, the Grimaldi Group has built a deeply rooted and strategic relationship with Malta, transforming the island nation into a pivotal hub within Euro-Mediterranean maritime traffic. For more than fifty years, the Group has played a central role in Malta’s maritime ecosystem, guaranteeing regular links with major Italian and international ports while continuously investing in technologically advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable vessels.
The international relevance of Emanuele Grimaldi’s contribution becomes particularly evident during periods of global disruption. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent years marked by geopolitical tensions, supply-chain instability and inflationary pressures, Grimaldi vessels never ceased operations. This continuity ensured the uninterrupted flow of essential goods to the Maltese Islands, confirming shipping’s function not merely as an economic engine, but as a global public-interest service.
The Maltese honour also reflects Emanuele Grimaldi’s broader institutional leadership at European and international level. His previous roles as President of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations and of Confitarma, followed by his current position at the helm of the International Chamber of Shipping, have helped consolidate dialogue between industry, governments and supranational institutions. This dialogue is increasingly crucial at a time when maritime transport faces complex challenges linked to energy transition, digitalisation and global security.
Equally significant is the Group’s commitment to education and workforce development. Through its Maltese-based companies and partnerships with institutions such as MCAST – Maritime Institute and MaritimeMT, the Grimaldi model invests in future generations of seafarers and maritime professionals. This long-term strategy has contributed to strengthening Malta’s position as a centre of excellence for international shipping, reflected in the fact that Malta now hosts the largest ship register in Europe.
In Emanuele Grimaldi’s own words, Malta is not simply a strategic logistics hub in the heart of the Mediterranean, but a long-term partner in a shared journey of innovation, sustainability and growth. His appointment as an Honorary Member of the National Order of Merit thus becomes emblematic of a virtuous alliance between industry, institutions and territory—and of shipping leadership that increasingly functions as an intangible yet decisive infrastructure of the global maritime economy.
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(photos provided by the Press Office attached to the press release)