This year’s conference, with the central theme “Unlocking the Future…of Shipping”, will take place during a period of challenges but also opportunities for shipping.
Ms. Hatzimanoli noted that shipping is one of the most important pillars of development for the Cypriot economy and that it requires flexibility “so that we can adapt quickly to new data and maintain our competitiveness”.
“Our goal, and this is a priority of the Government, is the further strengthening of the Cypriot registry and the maritime cluster in Cyprus,” the Deputy Minister noted, adding that “this is pursued through targeted policies for attracting new ships to the Cypriot registry and the establishment of new companies in Cyprus, the simplification of procedures, the enhancement of safety on Cypriot ships, the quality of services provided, as well as the utilization of innovation and digital transformation”.
For his part, the President of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, Polys Hatzioannou, stated that Maritime Cyprus 2025 is expected to attract a large number of foreign players and especially shipowners from Greece “who have consistently supported the Cypriot registry”.
“They are very interested in the conference, because they consistently find the platform to express their views and this year I see them coming quite fired up, because it coincides, one week later, with the meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, of the International Maritime Organization,” he said and explained that shipowners are forced to change their ship orders, as the landscape for the type of fuels is not clear “and the entire shipping community has become confused about what is valid”.
Thanking the Deputy Ministry of Shipping and its staff for the zeal they demonstrate for the organization of the Conference, Mr. Hatzioannou noted that it is important “for our flag to fly higher, as it is the international identity of Cyprus, it is the recognizability, the certification that the Republic of Cyprus is the state of this island and it gives us an international recognition, which few other activities can highlight the strength we have”.
During the inaugural ceremony of the conference, on the morning of Monday, October 6, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, will present the Cyprus Shipping Award.
