About Us > Personnel

MICS believes in investing in its people as they form the backbone of the organization MICS continuously invests in training of its human resources.
MICS presently retains Six (6) full-time staff, out of which four (4) are Technical Staff holding relevant Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture Degrees, and Warrants to practice their profession. All surveyors and consultants have proven experience in the field, and have extensive Shipyard, Classification Society and Maritime Management Experience. Furthermore, our officers have experience related to legal work and maritime incident investigations.

Officers and Directors

Ing. Paul L. Cardona

Dipl. Eng MIMarEST C.Eng

Managing Director and Principal Surveyor/ Principal Engineer Contact: paull.cardona@micsltd.org

Paul is the founder, Managing Director and Managing Surveyor at MICS.

Paul started his maritime career in 1966 as an apprentice at Swan Hunters (Malta). In 1971 he graduated from the Malta College of Science Art and Technology with a BSC Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical), and in 1972 completed a management trainee programme with Malta Drydocks, when he was appointed ship repair manager with the same organization.

In 1974, Paul joined Southern Steamships (London) Ltd, as a Superintendent Engineer and attended the Company’s ship building program in Japan. He was in charge of the drawing approval and the supervision during construction of one 121,000 ton tanker and two 40,400 ton bulk carriers. The program lasted between June 1974 and July 1977. In December 1978 he was appointed Fleet Superintendent for a fleet of 12 vessels and was in charge of the whole engineering/operations department of the Fleet. He was also in charge of the building specifications and drawing approval of three more vessels that were constructed in Japan and of the motor yacht “Pegasus IV” which, at the time, was the largest yacht built.

In late 1980, Paul returned to Malta setting up his marine survey and consultancy firm, regularly providing services to the Maritime and Yachting Industry. Since then, Paul has been involved in many significant projects, including Maritime Investigations for Major Underwriters, P&I Clubs, and legal work, the most notable being the Maritime Inquiry related to the explosion of the “Um El Faroud” during repairs at Malta Drydocks. He is also regularly appointed as Court Expert or Arbitrer.

Since 2005, Paul has been primarily dedicated to Yacht related Professional Services and Surveys, as he drafted the Transport Malta Commercial Yacht Code and has been involved in coding of over 135 superyachts. Also he regularly consults Owners, performing pre-purchase surveys, conversion supervision and consultancy to various other Yacht Codes of Practice, including MCA LY2, MGN 280, the Marshall Islands Commercial Yacht Code, and The Cook Island Yacht Codes.

Paul, presently holds various external appointments:

  • Flag State Inspector for the Liberia, and Bahamas Administrations;
  • Non-exclusive Surveyor to the Salvage Association;
  • Appointed as Ship Surveyors by Transport Malta in terms of the Merchant Shipping Act;
  • ABS Consulting – Inspector
  • European Certification Bureau (ECB) Notified Body No. – Surveyor to the Recreational Craft Directive.

Paul has also been non-exclusive surveyor to Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, Bureau Veritas, American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, and Det Norske Veritas. Also, Paul has held appointment as Flag State Inspector on behalf of the Panama Flag State Administration.

Other Official Appointments Held:

1988 – 1998 Appointed Member to the Engineering Board – The Engineering Board is responsible for regulation of the Engineering Profession in Malta.
1988 – 1998 Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Public Transport Authority. This Authority was responsible for regulating land transport and local public sea transport in Malta.
2000 – 2008 Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Malta Transport Authority. This Authority was responsible for regulating land transport, including road construction in Malta.

Ing. Paul D. Cardona

B.Eng (Hons) MIMarEST MIIMS

Principal Surveyor/ Senior Engineer Contact: pauld.cardona@micsltd.org

Paul rejoined MICS in 2002. Having started as an engine-room cadet, Paul qualified in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Malta, furthering his studies in Naval Architecture at Rostock University through a student exchange program. Paul also obtained qualifications in Yacht Surveying at the International Boatbuilding and Training College in the UK.

Paul has worked as a Ship’s Superintendent and Designated Person Ashore then joining Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd as a joint exclusive New Building Surveyor and Ships in Operation Surveyor / Project Manager where he was significantly involved in new building projects, refurbishment of passenger ships, conversions and Oil and Gas projects. Furthermore, Paul is specialised in assessment of ship yard and yacht yard quality management.

Paul has extensive experience in Project and Quality Management with Yacht, Marine and Oil and Gas Projects, having completed many significant projects in these fields and provided high level consultancy to ship-yards and yacht-yards.

Paul holds various appointments including:

  • Transport Malta – Government Surveyor of Ships;
  • Marshall Islands Administration – Flag State Inspector;
  • Liberian Administration – Flag State Inspector and ISM/ISPS/MLC2006 Auditor;
  • The Cook Island Administration – Authorised Surveyor and Deputy Registrar;
  • Intertek Moody – Country Manager and QMS Lead Auditor;
  • Malta Resource Authority – LPG Market – Competent Person;
  • Det Norske Veritas – Non-Exclusive Surveyor;
  • ABS Consulting – Inspector;
  • European Certification Bureau (ECB) – Surveyor.

Paul is also responsible for management and operation of MICS’s Lifeboat/Davit/Winch and Release service station, which carries out works in accordance with IMO MSC.1 Circ. 1206.

Ing. Lawrence Dimech

B. Mech Eng. (Hons) MIMarEST

Senior Surveyor / Senior Engineer Contact: lawrence.dimech@micsltd.org

Lawrence joined MICS in 2008. Lawrence is qualified in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Malta. After graduating Lawrence joined Malta Ship Building Company Ltd as a Project Manager and was responsible for a number of new buildings, including six Timber Carriers and two supply vessels. Lawrence was then promoted as the yard’s Quality Manager, and had to oversee various high level marine and oil and gas projects, including three ro/ro passenger vessels, power generation barge and numerous offshore single buoy mooring systems. This allowed Lawrence to develop significant technical competencies, related to management and planning of steel-work, welding, non-destructive testing, outfitting, protective coating, testing and commissioning activities, as well quality management activities. Lawrence is now involved in Marine and Yacht Surveys, Ship and Yacht Yard Technical Consultancy, Engineering Inspections and Consultancy.

Lawrence presently holds the following appointment:

  • Malta Resource Authority – LPG Market Competent Person
  • Malta Resource Authority – Petroleum Market Competent Person
  • Technical Member on ESTS Examination Board - Malta

Ing. Daniele Tagliarini

MSC Naval Architecture AMRINA

Surveyor / Naval Architect Contact: daniele.tagliarini@micsltd.org

Daniele joined MICS in 2011. Daniele is primarily active in Naval Architectural projects, which include concept design and renderings, hull structure design, engineering, intact and damage stability. He is also involved in our marine survey and yacht survey activities.

Daniele has received specialised training in the software used in our design activities to ensure efficient delivery of our design services and plan approval services.

Previously, Daniele worked for NCA Shipyard in Italy as Hull Construction Manager on a Ro/Ro Passenger Ferry built for Grimaldi Lines and a Lecturer in Naval Architecture at Mossa-Brunelleschi Technical College in Italy.