Shipping, and safeguarding the EU's maritime transport competitiveness in the global market will be amongst the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU that will begin in January, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said Monday, in his opening address at the “Maritime Cyprus 2025” Conference that began in Limassol.

"Shipping, and safeguarding the EU's maritime transport competitiveness in the global market is an indispensable component of our efforts to strengthen the Union’s competitiveness and will be amongst the priorities of our Presidency" the President stressed. 

He noted that this year’s theme of Maritime Cyprus 2025 is ‘Unlocking the Future of Shipping’, and "captures the moment we are in – one of complex challenges. And yet, it also aptly captures this resilient industry’s constant, timeless drive to transform the moment into opportunity. You have all proven, time and again, that no matter how daunting the task, you can rise to the task – you adapt, you create, you thrive".

Referring to Cyprus, he said that it has one of the largest fleets in the world and a dynamic maritime cluster, hosting hundreds of companies, engaging in the full range of maritime and maritime-related activities.

Over the last two years, he noted, the exposure of Cyprus shipping, has grown impressively, the Cyprus Ship Registry, has increased by 20% in terms of gross tonnage, reaching the highest point of the last 20 years, the number of companies registered in the Cyprus Tonnage 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 noted that it is 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 governs 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" the President said. 

He announced that "we are ready to launch the first services next week".

Additionally, he said that the Government, recognizing 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, he continued, has been completed and soon a targeted Action Plan will be developed. Our goal is to boost Cyprus’s footprint as an attractive and competitive cruise destination.

CNA/SK/AAR/EPH/2025

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY