Deputy Minister of Shipping Vasilis Demetriades is currently in Japan where he will hold a series of meetings with government officials, representatives of shipowners' unions, as well as executives of shipping companies and financial institutions.

According to a press release by the Deputy Ministry, the visit falls within the framework of promoting Cyprus as a maritime centre with the aim to create conditions for attracting shipping companies to Cyprus as well as ships in the Cypriot registry from the Far East market.

Moreover, he is expected to visit a number of companies to highlight the advantages of Cypriot shipping. The Deputy Minister will also hold a series of other meetings to present the current developments and challenges of global shipping, as well as Cyprus' strategic vision for shipping “SEA Change 2030”.

On the sidelines of his visit, Demetriades, who is accompanied by officials from the Deputy Ministry, will attend the christening ceremony of a newly built cargo vessel of the Safe Bulkers company. The ship, which was built in a Japanese shipyard in line with the most modern environmental standards, will fly the Cypriot flag.