Cyprus’ shipping registry has seen a 12 per cent increase in sea-going vessels, according to Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis.
Hadjimanolis’ update on the Cypriot shipping registry was delivered during a visit to Athens, from September 18 to 20, where she also met key maritime industry figures to discuss future collaborations.
Moreover, the deputy minister participated in the general assembly of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS) on September 19, where she outlined her ministry’s strategic initiatives.
During her address, Hadjimanolis expressed gratitude to the association for its long-standing support of the Cyprus shipping registry.
In addition, she reported a notable 12 per cent rise in the number of sea-going vessels registered under the Cypriot flag over the past year.
The assembly, attended by both Cypriot and Greek shipowners, included a dinner in honour of president Nikos Christodoulides, whose presence underscored the close ties between Cyprus and Greece in the shipping sector.
Beyond the assembly, Hadjimanolis held high-level meetings with Greek shipping companies, discussing the latest trends and challenges in global shipping.
She also visited the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) to explore collaboration on marine protection and maritime education, meeting with the organisation’s board of directors.
During her visit, the deputy minister also met George Pateras, president of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, where they exchanged views on global shipping developments and agreed to explore joint initiatives, particularly in maritime education.
It should be noted that during his own address at a dinner hosted by the CUS, president Christodoulides expressed satisfaction with Apostolos Tzitzikostas’ appointment as the EU transport commissioner, overseeing shipping, and Costas Kadis’ appointment as fisheries commissioner.
What is more, he said that these appointments had been a shared goal with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Christodoulides also stressed the strategic importance of shipping for the EU’s geopolitical role and praised shipowners for elevating Cyprus on the global maritime map.
Furthermore, he highlighted the strong public-private partnership in Cyprus’ shipping industry and discussed closer cooperation between Cyprus and Greece in shipping, focusing on maritime education, digitisation, and sustainability.
In addition, the president addressed geopolitical challenges, urging vigilance and highlighting Cyprus’ role in regional stability, citing the country’s initiative to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“The Republic of Cyprus can provide solutions to significant regional, European, and international challenges,” he stated, before thanking the Cyprus Union of Shipowners for their tangible and substantial participation in this initiative by contributing food aid worth €300,000.
Finally, Christodoulides underlined Cyprus’ broader contributions beyond the Cyprus issue and stressed the importance of investing in maritime education and training.
