The work and actions of the Shipping Deputy Ministry that have been implemented during the first year of governance of Nikos Christodoulides, were presented by the Shipping Deputy Minister Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis at a Press Conference, on 28 March 2024.
The Shipping Deputy Minister referred to the importance of the maritime sector for the economy and the development of Cyprus, as well as the significant role that Cyprus plays internationally as a maritime state. Ms. Hadjimanolis stressed that "our country is a world-renowned maritime cluster, which includes a wide range of shipping-related activities. The upgrading of our services, the high quality of service, the safety of our ships, the expertise and know-how of our personnel, the efficiency and flexibility, as well as the important bilateral agreements with other countries have established Cyprus shipping as an important pillar of development and the Cyprus flag as one of the most reliable and competitive in global shipping."
Ms. Hadjimanolis presented the important results and objectives achieved during the last 12 months:
• A significant increase of 5.5%, (or by approximately 1.1 million tonnes), during the last 6 months in the fleet of Cyprus flagged seagoing vessels. There is increased interest from new shipowners and shipping companies who have registered their vessels in the Register of Cyprus Ships.
• During the last 12 months there has been a significant increase of 14% in the number of companies registered in the Cyprus Tonnage Tax System approved by the European Commission, reaching 420 in number.
• The Passenger Maritime Link between Cyprus - Greece operated with great success for a second consecutive year, carrying more than 7400 passengers, more than 2400 cars and motorcycles and more than 250 pets. These figures prove both the necessity and sustainability prospects of the Passenger Maritime Link between Cyprus – Greece..
• The "THALASSA" Festival, was organized for the third consecutive year, with great success and increased participation. The aim of this Festival is to cultivate maritime and shipping culture, and to highlight the importance and prospects of the shipping sector and the Blue Economy. This year, for the first time, the Cyprus Navy participated in the Festival with a naval craft passage.
• We have established the Advisory Committee on Competitiveness and Quality Enhancement of the Cyprus Flag and the Advisory Committee on Competitiveness of the Cyprus Maritime Cluster, with the aim of continuously improving and enhancing the competitiveness of the Cyprus flag and Cyprus shipping.
• Following the initiative and proposal of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a Committee on Marine Pollution Prevention and Response on the coasts of Cyprus.
• Following the recent decision of the Council of Ministers to allot government land for the construction of the new premises of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, all the necessary actions have been initiated for this very important project.
• The One Stop Shipping Centre commenced its operations in November, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the shipping industry.
• The Shipping Deputy Ministry has taken measures to fully digitalize its services. The project is expected to be completed within 2024 and the Shipping Deputy Ministry will be the first Ministry/Deputy Ministry to fully digitalize ALL its services.
• The impressive rise of the ranking of the Cyprus flag from 13th to 8th position in the PARIS MoU White List confirms the high quality and safety standards of ships flying the Cyprus flag and reflects the efforts made to improve the inspection and control practices and enhances the reputation and credibility of the Registry of Cyprus Ships.
• A legislative framework has been adopted for the further enhancement of the maritime safety and security standards and the protection of the marine environment.
• The Council of Ministers has approved a revised set of green incentives to reward ships that demonstrate effective greenhouse gas emission reductions. From January 2024, the annual tonnage tax for ships registered in the Register of Cyprus Ships will be reduced by up to 30% for each ship that demonstrates effective greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures, ensuring that shipowners are rewarded for their efforts for decarbonization of the shipping sector.
• By strengthening the sustainable development of the marine and maritime sectors and the sustainable utilization of the seas, we attached great importance to the Integrated Maritime Policy and Blue Growth. In an effort for a holistic approach and development of marine and maritime activities such as shipping, fishing, aquaculture, marine and coastal tourism, the extraction of raw materials, the exploitation of the marine energy wealth of Cyprus, as well as the protection of marine antiquities and the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, including resilience to climate change, we prepared the first National Maritime Spatial Plan which was approved by the Council of Ministers in December.
• Our target from day one, which has been achieved, was the strengthening of the voice of Cyprus in the European and international shipping fora. Our re-election at the Council of the International Maritime Organization for the next biennium 2024-2025 is of great importance, in particular taking into consideration the adverse challenges that we had to face due to the particular current international geopolitical conditions. We continue to strengthen and enhance the voice and active and effective participation of Cyprus in the decision-making processes that affect global shipping, while also enhancing our image as an internationally recognised maritime power. The participation of the Shipping Deputy Ministry in European and international maritime conferences has been significantly enhanced and this is evidence of the recognition of our productive and constructive contribution in the efforts made to resolve the problems faced by global shipping.
• We play an important role in safeguarding and enhancing the competitiveness of European shipping. To this end, we have held meetings and discussions with the competent Ministers of Greece and Malta, within the framework of the tripartite meetings, as well as meetings with the Ministers of Italy, Germany and Belgium. In addition, within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations, meetings have been held with the Ministers competent for shipping of Qatar, the Philippines, Panama, Lebanon and Nigeria.
• The commitment of the Shipping Deputy Ministry to promote gender equality in the shipping industry is being implemented through various actions, raising awareness to encourage more women to join the industry, creating a supportive environment and providing training and mentoring opportunities. One of these actions is the establishment of the 'Gender Equality Award in Cyprus Shipping'. This award will be bestowed annually to individuals, irrespective of their gender, who have made a significant contribution to advancing gender equality and women empowerment in the maritime sector of Cyprus.
• Promotion of maritime and seafaring professions in secondary and higher education to raise awareness of the many job opportunities in the maritime sector. Recognising the importance of informing children from primary school, new actions have been planned, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Education, where children from the last classes of primary school and up to the first years of high school will become acquainted with shipping, its importance and the opportunities it offers.
• We have planned and are implementing a specific action plan for the promotion of the Registry of Cyprus Ships in Cyprus and abroad, which includes targeted actions, with the ultimate aim of attracting new quality ships to the Register of Cyprus Ships. We have participated in maritime conferences, exhibitions and events and have held constructive meetings in Piraeus, Athens, London, Hamburg, Genoa, Tokyo, Singapore, Miami and Dubai.
• The upgrading and targeted evolution of the "Maritime Cyprus 2023" conference organised last October, resulted in a record high attendance, with over 1000 participants from 35 countries, establishing it as one of the best and most high-quality maritime conferences worldwide.
The Shipping Deputy Minister did not omit to mention the 60 years since the establishment of the Registry of Cyprus Ships, in 2023, which, as she said, is "an impressive journey that makes proud the pioneers, the successors and all the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. A journey of continuous efforts, planning and decisions, having as a legacy the experience and know-how, with the sole aim of strengthening the Republic of Cyprus through a strong shipping industry."
"Without doubt," she continued, "we feel proud of the course of the past 60 years. Our ambition is to accomplish even higher targets and to further enhance the competitiveness of Cyprus shipping, the Registry of Cyprus Ships and the maritime cluster of Cyprus. Our efforts will focus on cooperation with the shipowning and shipping community in Cyprus and abroad, as well as the implementation of even more actions."
In conclusion, Ms. Hadjimanolis expressed her warm gratitude to the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, for entrusting her with the helm of this very important and vital for the national economy, Shipping Deputy Ministry, as well as for his presence at every call of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, confirming the continuous support of the Government in the maritime sector. She also thanked her colleagues at the Shipping Deputy Ministry for the accomplishment of the above strategic objectives and actions.
"It is an honour," she said, "to serve this global shipping power and its people both onshore and offshore. We will continue to move forward strategically so that the voice of the Registry of Cyprus Ships and Cyprus Shipping will grow stronger and will inspire the younger generations."
Watch the related video here : Yearly Review of Shipping Deputy Ministry - March 2023-February 2024