Twenty Cyprus-based shipping companies have been recognised for their participation in the United States Coast Guard's Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program, according to a press release by the US Embassy.
The International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Limassol, in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS), and under the auspices of the Shipping Deputy Ministry and the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, it said, organised a ceremony in Limassol on 12 December to recognise Cyprus-based shipping companies participating in the AMVER program. The AMVER program helps guide merchant shipping vessels to assist other vessels in distress on the high seas, it adds.
“In all, twenty Cyprus-based companies were recognized for enrolling their ships in the AMVER program in 2024 – a total of 301 awards for as many ships, giving Cyprus the fifth-highest count of AMVER awards globally”, it is noted.
“Since its inception in 1958, AMVER has provided 67 years of search and rescue services around the world. Ships in the AMVER program have saved, on average, one life a day over the last ten years. In 2024 alone, AMVER ships saved 255 lives in multiple distress cases. On average, more than 6,000 ships are available worldwide for search and rescue under this program”, the press release said.
According to the press release, AMVER is open to vessels of all flags and nations, while companies participating in this program voluntarily make their ships available as rescue assets in the event of an emergency. Prior to sailing, participating ships send a sail plan, indicating their port of departure, port of destination, course, and speed to the AMVER computer center. In an emergency, AMVER receives notification of a vessel, mariner, or aircraft in distress, and locates and informs the nearest participating vessel of the need for immediate assistance, at no cost, it said.
Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission in Nicosia Shane Siegel presented the awards on behalf of Ambassador Davis and the U.S. Coast Guard, “recognizing participating mariners and their companies”.
“Cyprus continues to make vital contributions to the AMVER program, and that growing support deserves special recognition,” Siegel, said, according to the press release.
The recipients of the AMVER awards, in alphabetical order, are:
1. Acheon Akti Navigation Company Ltd. (1 award)
2. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Cyprus) Ltd. (17 awards)
3. Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd. (9 awards)
4. CSM Energy Ltd. (1 award)
5. Donnelly Tanker Management Ltd. (1 award)
6. Enesel Ltd. (2 awards)
7. FML Ship Management (28 awards)
8. Hill Robinson Yacht Management Ltd. (1 award)
9. Interorient Marine Services (6 awards)
10. Intership Navigation Co. Ltd. (4 awards)
11. Lemissoler Shipmanagement Ltd. (11 awards)
12. LMZ Shipping S.A. (1 award)
13. Marlow Navigation Co. Ltd. (1 award)
14. MSC Shipmanagement Ltd. (170 awards)
15. Olympia Ocean Carriers Ltd. (1 award)
16. Osterreichischer Lloyd Seereederei (Cyprus) Ltd. (1 award)
17. Safe Bulkers Management Ltd. (34 awards)
18. Samos Steamship (Cyprus) Ltd. (1 award)
19. Star Bulk Shipmanagement Co. (Cyprus) Ltd. (5 awards)
20. Transmed Shipping Co. Ltd. (6 awards
(Source: CNA)
