For some, a career at sea is a lifelong calling. For Elio Desira, it was the forging ground for a formidable enterprise.

Starting out in the yachting industry, Elio transitioned to the merchant navy, rising through the ranks from Engineer to Chief Engineer, and finally to Fleet Superintendent for a fleet of oil and chemical tankers. Throughout his career at sea, he developed a deep respect and pride for the Malta Maritime Flag, seeing it as a symbol of quality, reliability, and maritime heritage.

For many marine engineers, the natural next step in their career is to become a marine surveyor – a path Elio embraced, recognising the need for a different kind of partner, one built not just on surveying skills, but on unflinching, hands-on experience gained at sea.

This realisation led to the founding of Oceanus Marine Ltd, a firm of marine surveyors and consultants that has become a trusted partner in both the commercial shipping and luxury yachting industries.

With nearly three decades of high-level international experience, Elio has built an organisation that mirrors his own exacting standards. “My deep insight and years of professional experience have made Oceanus Marine a renowned, competent and reliable partner worldwide,” he explains.

The firm’s reputation, Elio affirms, is built on principles forged not only in a maritime academy, but in the relentless, unpredictable environment of an ocean-going vessel. This hands-on experience has been the compass for the company’s vision.

When asked what differentiates Oceanus Marine today, the response is immediate and concise: “What sets us apart is our ability as a team to respond quickly and deliver highly professional technical consultancy. 

In an industry where time is money, this is no small claim. Throughout the year – particularly during the busy summer season – the team carries out between 12 to 16 surveys per day, ranging from yachts and superyachts to vessels of 350 meters LOA, both commercial and private. This amounts to more than 2,200 surveys annually, a figure that speaks to both capacity and consistency.

This level of operational readiness, he emphasises, is not the result of any single individual, but rather the collective discipline, technical expertise, and results-driven culture of the entire Oceanus Marine team.

Indeed, Elio’s leadership style is heavily influenced by his past as a Merchant Navy officer. “I sometimes joke that I probably have a touch of OCD,” he admits with a smile. That same attention to detail and discipline, however, is balanced by his recognition that a modern company requires flexibility, collaboration, and a people-first approach.

“When you run your own company, you quickly realise that success depends on building trust and working together as one team,” he explains. “My colleagues know I’m disciplined and focused, but our culture is never about hierarchy or fear – it’s about mutual respect and a shared commitment to delivering our best work.”

Elio invests heavily in his team, providing them with training and professional development to continuously raise their level of certification. “Across all areas of our surveys, my team is fully certified and highly qualified,” he notes with pride. This commitment fosters loyalty and expertise, creating a team that can handle immense pressure without ever sacrificing quality.

While the maritime industry embraces technological advances, Oceanus Marine maintains that the core of marine surveying cannot be replaced by automation.

“Technology can support us, but it cannot replace the human presence,” Elio explains. “You still need a surveyor on board – to inspect in detail, and report. Tools like tablets and AI-assisted reporting help streamline the process, but the risk of missing a critical detail is too high if you rely solely on technology.”

He adds that careful review remains a cornerstone of their work: “After a survey, we go through all the photos and data thoroughly. Technology helps capture and organise information, but it’s the human eye and judgment that ensure nothing is overlooked.”

Looking back on the company he has built over 15 years, Elio’s proudest professional achievement is clear. “The company itself,” he says. From just ten surveys a month at its inception, Oceanus Marine has grown into a leading force in the region.

Looking ahead, the focus is not merely on growth, but on growing in the right direction. “By next year, I hope to add another four or five commercial superyachts to our portfolio,” he smiles.

With a steady hand at the helm and a team guided by decades of collective experience, Elio Desira and the Oceanus Marine team are well positioned to continue navigating the company toward ever-expanding horizons.