President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed delegates to the Maritime Cyprus 2025 conference in Limassol, noting that, since the event’s inception in 1989, it had grown into one of the world’s most prominent maritime events, “enriched with new and innovative ideas”.
He also noted that it was a priority for the government to further enhance the competitiveness of Cyprus shipping. “We are fully committed to continue upgrading and strengthening the framework that covers the services provided by the shipping ministry in this context and within the framework of our commitment to digital transition. The digitalisation of the services of the shipping deputy ministry is constantly progressing. In fact, I'm very pleased to announce today that we're ready to launch the first services next week.”
“As you can testify,” Christodoulides continued, on the day’s event, “the maritime conference serves as a valuable platform for maritime executives and personalities from around the world to exchange ideas and address some of the most crucial challenges faced by the shipping sector, but also opportunities on the horizon.”
“In fact, this year's theme, ‘Unlocking the Future of Shipping’, captures the moment we are in, one of complex challenges, and yet it also captures the resilience of this industry.”
He also noted that the sea had always defined Cyprus in many ways, “Geopolitically, economically, culturally. Indeed, Cyprus stands as a unique good dialogue with our enduring, shipping legacy tracking back to more than 2,500 years, which has steadily and decisively developed.”
Christodoulides said that his presence at the event was a reflection of the importance that this government attaches to shipping, “a recognition that shipping is one of the main drivers of economic growth in our country, whose insignificant and tangible growth potential, can be determined in facts and numbers”.
“Cyprus has one of the largest fleets in the world in a dynamic maritime cluster hosting hundreds of companies engaging in a full range of maritime and maritime related activities over the last few years, the exposure of cycle shipping has grown impressively,” he said.
The President noted that the registry has increased by 20% in terms of gross tonnage reaching the highest point of the last 20 years, while the number of companies registered in the Cyprus college tax system has increased by 15% and the ship management sector's contribution to the GDP of Cyprus increased by 27% from 2023 to 2024.
He also said it was a priority for the government to further enhance the competitiveness of Cyprus shipping. “We are fully committed to continue upgrading and strengthening the framework that covers the services provided by the shipping ministry in this context and within the framework of our commitment to digital transition. The digitalization of the services of the shipping deputy ministry is constantly progressing. In fact, I'm very pleased to announce today that we're ready to launch the first services next week. Additionally, our government, recognising the great potential and promising future of the cruise sector, has taken decisive measures by approving the National Strategy for cruise tourism. Last October, the first stage of the implementation of the strategy has been completed, and soon a targeted action plan will be developed,” towards the goal of Cyprus putting its mark on the cruise sector.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we stand at the pivotal crossroad witnessing a transformative era falling before us. The entire shipping industry has embarked on a profound journey of change, defined by two transformative challenges, automation and decarbonization. At the same time, there is a combined need to tackle the shortage of qualified personnel in maritime transport and, of course, to develop the necessary framework for reskilling and upskilling of the workforce. I firmly believe that through proactive measures, ongoing consultations, international cooperation, and the ability to seize opportunities, the shipping sector will emerge even stronger, but it can only happen through more robust collaboration between government and the stakeholders in the maritime industry, united behind the common objective of the sustainable growth of international shipping.”
He said that, in this effort, an indispensable component was the full support of the work of the International Maritime Organisation, where Cyprus will continue contributing to the mission of the IMO and the long standing principles and values of the organisation.
“My country has been continuously elected to the council since 1987, has projected a strong voice and a substantial and significant improvement in the decision making process. And I'm very pleased that the Secretary General of IMO, my friend, Arsenio (Dominguez), has joined this conference in line with the long standing traditions that began since the first maritime conference in 1989,” Christodoulides said.
He also noted that Cyprus would be making shipping one of its priorities during its upcoming Presidency of the EU Council.
