Maritime Cyprus 2023, organized by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping in collaboration with the Cyprus Shipowners Association and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, once again brought together the global shipping community in Limassol, having evolved into one of the most prestigious conferences worldwide.
This year's 18th Conference, with more than 1000 delegates from more than 35 countries, in conjunction with its distinguished speakers, is a strong sign of confidence in Cyprus shipping, Deputy Minister Marina Chatzimanoli told us. Important presences in it, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization Kitack Lim, the Director of the Marine Environment Directorate and elected Secretary General of the same organization Arsenio Dominguez, the Minister of Shipping of Greece Christos Stylianides and for the first time the Minister of Shipping of India. Ms. Chatzimanoli held bilateral meetings with the Indian and Panamanian missions on further cooperation.
Regarding the cruise sector, which featured in the conference for the first time and highlighted the dynamics of the industry, the Deputy Minister underlined the key position of Cyprus, which played a catalytic role in the restart of the industry, since during the pandemic, it helped in the repatriation of crews.
Cyprus is one of the largest ship management centres in the world and has evolved into a modern, efficient and integrated maritime cluster that combines an internationally recognized registry of high standards and a developed local shipping industry. The Deputy Minister pointed out that this maritime complex has expanded significantly with the creation of maritime academies, the provision of loans by Cypriot banks to shipping companies, the establishment in Cyprus of protection and indemnity insurance companies as well as the creation of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute.
She expressed satisfaction that new companies are consistently choosing Cyprus as the centre of their activities, with the most recent example being the opening of an office of Royal Caribbean (a cruise giant) in Limassol, through which its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean will be managed. The Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Thomas Kazakos, stressed that the conference is considered one of the largest internationally and attracts hundreds of shipping stakeholders from around the world, offering a platform for discussions to the international shipping community on upcoming policy and regulatory changes.
He added that its processes contribute constructively to further strengthening and ensuring a sustainable development of the industry and at the same time increasing Cyprus' international influence and prestige, enhancing its reputation as a centre of maritime excellence. "The participation of high-profile delegates and senior representatives of regulatory bodies for shipping is an international recognition for Cyprus Shipping and upgrades Cyprus' prestige in general," he said.
Mr. Kazakos pointed out that the conference gives the opportunity for networking between companies and the development of entrepreneurship in the sector. He expressed the belief that there are prospects and interest from companies that attended the conference to move to Cyprus.
He referred to the panel moderated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber on the opening day of the Conference, entitled "Sustainable shipping towards 2050: A mission (Im) Possible??", with highly reputable speakers, confirming the prestige of the conference. "Shipping's mission for its energy and technological transition in the absence of alternative compatible fuels and technologies, with a regulatory milestone for its full decarbonization in 2050, is a challenge for ship owners and a complex issue for global shipping. Policy making needs more clarity according to the speakers," he added.
The discussion was moderated by the President of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Themis Papadopoulos, with speakers including Emanuele Grimaldi (President of the International Chamber of Shipping), Philippos Philis (President of the Union of European Shipowners), Dr. Gaby Bornheim (President of the German Shipowners' Association) and Nikolaus H. Schües (President of the Baltic and International Maritime Council).
