Welcoming delegates to Maritime Cyprus 2025, Dr. Stelios D. Himonas, Conference Chairman and Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry said that, “When Maritime Cyprus first started in 1989 it did so with a clear mission; to create a platform where the global shipping community is kept together, exchange views and chart the course for the future.”
“More than three decades later,” he continued, “this mission has not only been fulfilled, but has grown and today, Maritime Cyprus is among the most prestigious global shipping conferences, admired for the calibre of the debate and its enduring impact on international maritime affairs.”
The remarkable journey of this conference,” Himonas noted, "is itself a testament to the central role of Cyprus in World Shipping. Since its first edition, we have witnessed countless milestones, policy shifts, technological breakthroughs, regulatory evolutions, geopolitical tensions and sanctions.”
He also pointed out that this year’s edition had surpassed all previous records: “We are proud to host more than 1,000 participants from over 35 countries, with over 50 distinguished speakers and more than 45 exhibitions. In fact, the demand for participation has exceeded the feasible limits of this conference.”
“This overwhelming response,” Himonas continued, “demonstrates not only the growth of the conference but also the ever growing importance of shipping on the international scene.”
“The themes of this year's conference on the future shipping could not be more timely,” the Permanent Secretary went on, pointing out, that ”Shipping being the lifeline of global trade finds itself at pivotal tension, pressures, capitalisation, rapid technological change, evolving regulations, geopolitical uncertainty and the hope for greater resilience.”
He noted that themes he anticipated would be discussed over the coming days would include “how do we accelerate the transition to greener technologies, while safeguarding, how do we integrate utilisation, automation and data driven integration without losing sight of severe welfare effects. How do we secure shipping lanes and protect the freedom of migration in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment? These are not questions, ladies and gentlemen, for Cyprus alone, nor for Europe. They are questions for the entire global maritime community.”
Himonas continued that this is why Maritime Cyprus mattered, “It provides a space where participants share their perspective and where collective wisdom helps charge the way forward. What sets this conference apart is not only its scale, but also the authority it has.”
He noted that policymakers and those responsible for regulations in the industry and strategies, as well as academics and innovators bringing new ideas and representatives of international organisations to safeguard the rules of shipping, were all present.
The "Maritime Cyprus" Conference is organised every two years by the Shipping Deputy Ministry in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners. It was first established in 1989 and since then, has grown into one of the world’s most significant and most attended shipping conferences. Its status now gives it a prominent position in the calendar of many shipping executives, including owners and managers as well as those in charge of organisations with shipping related activities. The "Maritime Cyprus" Conference attracts to Cyprus approximately 800 shipping executives from around the globe.
Distinguished guests and world class experts analyse and discuss specialised issues of concern to the shipping industry.
The main aim of the conference is to operate as a forum where important and current issues relating to international shipping are presented by distinguished speakers and subsequently discussed by the international shipping community, thereby helping to formulate sound and well balanced decisions and policies on crucial shipping issues. "Maritime Cyprus" Conference also offers the opportunity to the participants to become familiar with the strong maritime tradition of Cyprus, its people and its environment. Its complete shipping infrastructure constitutes an invaluable asset, both for the expanded Europe and for the international shipping community in general.
