Cyprus and CYMEPA’s role in METAVASEA project

Shipping is undergoing a historic transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. Decarbonization of the sector is now a global priority—and Cyprus is not a passive observer but an active participant in this change.

The METAVASEA project, funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, aims to build a practical framework that supports a just and inclusive green transition in Eastern Mediterranean shipping. It does not focus solely on technologies, fuels, or infrastructure but places emphasis on the human element of change: seafarers, port workers, maritime professionals, and residents of coastal and island regions.

CYMEPA (Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association) is a core partner in the project, working alongside HELMEPA, the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), RightShip, and other key shipping organizations. HELMEPA is the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association, the pioneering voluntary commitment organisation of Greek seafarers and shipowners to safeguard the seas from ship-generated pollution, undertaken in Piraeus on June 4, 1982.

Through its involvement, CYMEPA:

• Organises training workshops and awareness activities on maritime decarbonization for both professionals and youth.
• Contributes to the development of tools and methodologies for reskilling and upskilling in areas such as alternative fuels, digital transformation, and maritime safety.
• Strengthens the voice of the Cypriot maritime community in the broader sustainability dialogue, hosting events and participating in conferences, panels, and international discussions on fuel innovation.
• Collects input from key stakeholders and the general public on climate change and decarbonization in shipping—an essential part of shaping inclusive environmental strategies.
• In particular, CYMEPA promotes a public survey designed to capture views on global warming, climate change, alternative fuels, and broader perceptions of the shipping industry’s environmental footprint on coastal ecosystems. The results will help align future action plans with the expectations of civil society. You can take part in the survey here: https://shout.com/s/cYLQGMPT

METAVASEA speaks to:

• Maritime professionals adapting to new demands and technologies.
• Port workers and terminal staff who will operate within new infrastructure and logistics practices.
• Young people who envision a maritime career with environmental responsibility at its core.
• Teachers and students who can participate in marine environmental awareness actions.

Cyprus’s participation in METAVASEA through CYMEPA is clear proof of our national commitment to a sustainable, people-centered maritime future. This transition is not happening in isolation from society; it is being shaped by people and for people.

The future of green shipping is already here, and Cyprus is firmly on board.

About CYMEPA

The Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (www.cymepa.org.cy) has been formed with the initiative of the International Shipping Community of Cyprus with the support of the Commercial Community of the island. CYMEPA is an autonomous, not-for-profit organization funded solely by its members. CYMEPA was officially registered on the 27th August 1992 as a not-for-profit organisation limited by guarantee.

• By Michael Ierides, Secretary General of CYMEPA