Cyprus is in a privileged position on the world’s shipping map, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades said Monday addressing the “Maritime Cyprus 2022” Conference that takes place in Limassol.

"We feel very proud of our achievements which have placed our small country in a privileged position on the world’s shipping map" he said, adding that "we have established a competitive and modern international shipping center, ranked highly globally both as regards ship registries and third-party ship-management".

In parallel, the President noted, around 300 shipping companies are based in Cyprus covering the full range of shipping – related activities, whilst in the past decade we have witnessed a three-fold increase in the number of companies registered under our tonnage tax system, namely: from 95 to 285 at present.  

The President noted that  despite its impressive achievements, Cyprus Shipping’ would have held an even higher international ranking if the illegal restrictive measures imposed by Turkey since 1987 were abolished and explained that the said restrictive measures, not only adversely affect our interests, but those of the European Union as well, since they prevent the application of fundamental rights and free competition in maritime trade with the European Union.

He recalled that the government launched last October a new long-term strategy for shipping, with the vision for Cyprus to further advance its role in the international shipping environment, enhance our attractiveness as a maritime center of sustainable growth and excellence, strengthen safety and security levels on Cyprus’ flag ships, provide rewards and incentives for “Greening” investments, intensify the presence of the Maritime Offices network of the Republic of Cyprus abroad, especially in the Far East and to upgrade the services provided by the Maritime Administration, so as to be able to provide a more flexible, effective and customer-oriented service.

To this end, he continued, we are in the process of establishing a one-stop-shipping centre framework, through the establishment of the legal framework of the Maritime Entity and the digital transformation of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, which will optimize the Ministry’s business processes and maximize its operational efficiency.

Noting that the policies are not only limited to strengthening the attractiveness of the Cyprus’ Registry and its relevant services, but are extended to a comprehensive and holistic development of our shipping cluster, he said that in this regard recently we established an autonomous Admiralty Court, while we are in the process to finalising the legal and procedural framework for arbitration and mediation on maritime disputes.

In addition, he said that "we are providing green tax incentives to shipowners and operators, encouraging and supporting ships registered under the Cyprus registry to use alternative fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen and we are also offering funding tools and programs to encourage research and innovation, supporting the shipping industry to effectively respond to the digital and green transformation challenge".

Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said that "being also victims of the Turkish invasion, we immediately and without hesitation agreed to the adoption of targeted sanctions vis-à-vis Russia in an effort to reverse its actions and return to dialogue."

Referring to the  targeted sanctions, he said that on the one hand their impact should not become greater on EU member-states on specific vital sectors of our economies, rather than on Russia against which they are directed; and on the other hand, they should exclude the possibility of establishing conditions of unfair competition between EU member-states and third countries which could exploit gaps, inconsistencies or misinterpretations in specific provisions of the sanctions.

"And these principles should be applied in all adopted sanctions, including, of course, European shipping which has a decisive role to play as regards the connection and seamless trade supply, not only of the European Union itself but globally. That is why we remain firm in our position that maintaining to the maximum extent possible the competitiveness of European shipping flags remains of utmost importance," President Anastasiades noted.

Cyprus, he added, as a maritime nation, we are fully aware that we are much stronger not on our own, but as part of dynamic and forward-looking collaborations, noting that "that is why, asides being grateful to all of you for your presence, we fully appreciate the excellent co-operation we have established with the International Maritime Organisation, as well as with the EU, and we are honoured to have the IMO’s Secretary – General and the EU Commissioner for Transport with us today".

"In this respect, I wish to assure you Mr. Lim that Cyprus will continue to actively and constructively participate in the future evolution of the Organisation, including on implementing new strategies, such as improving maritime safety and environmental protection. As I also wish to assure you Mrs. Valean that Cyprus will continue its positive contribution in the formulation of the EU legislative framework in order to ensure that shipping is safe, environmentally sustainable, competitive, as well as an integral part to our efforts of achieving energy independence and carbon neutral economy," he concluded.