The International Conference’s "Maritime Cyprus 2023 - Shipping in action: an agenda for change" deliberations began today in Limassol.

The conference is co-organised by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Shipowners Union, and around 900 participants from 35 countries are taking part.

The green agenda is on the focus of the Conference. Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary General elect Arsenio Dominguez, Shipping Minister of Greece Christos Stylianides, Deputy Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India Shantanu Thaku, the Ministers of Defense Michalis Giorgallas, Agriculture Petros Xenophontos, Transport Alexis Vafeades, Justice Anna Koukkides Prokopiou, Attorney General George Savvides and Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou are taking part along with industry executives.

The biannual Conference, that takes place for the 18th time, was opened by the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, who noted in his address the enormous importance of the shipping industry in the economy of Cyprus, and pointed out that the country is the largest ship management center in Europe.

Earlier, the President of the Republic inaugurated the Maritime Services Exhibition hosted in the framework of the Conference with the participation of important shipping services providers based in Cyprus.

“Cyprus brings again all the industry together. And this year’s theme is even more relevant. We are talking about the green agenda, the change that actually needs to take place. We are in this transition and Cyprus is one of the key member states of IMO and participates actively in this transition,” IMO Secretary General elect Arsenio Dominguez told CNA.

He further noted that Cyprus indeed offers an input in all the administrative and technical aspects of IMO’s work and also brings its experience as one of the largest flags and ship registries in the world. “So, the key role that Cyprus plays will continue to be very important and relevant for our future decisions,” he added.

Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Chatzimanoli stressed that Cyprus is very proud for the dynamics of its shipping sector, a sector that leads the way for Cyprus’s economy.

She also noted that as IMO SG elect said, Cyprus has been playing a key role in the IMO decisions and also at EU level.

“We have seen this year around 1000 participants attending ‘Maritime Cyprus’ and we feel that shipping will remain a leading sector for the future,” she added.

Chairman of the Conference, Deputy Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Stelios Himonas, said on his behalf that this year's Conference brings together around 1000 participants including shipowners, shipping executives, distinguished delegates of the international shipping industry and state officials.

He said is his welcoming address that the main theme is "Shipping in Action: An Agenda for Change", noting that subjects and the featuring presentations have been carefully selected to provide the opportunity to debate on a wide and diverse range of issues and challenges facing by the shipping industry today.

According to Conference’s Chairman, sessions and panels will cover a variety of interesting themes that include sustainable shipping towards 2050, shipowners' perspective on the future of EU shipping, energy transition, the role of shipbuilding in an evolving shipping industry, exploring future trends and emerging markets for a dynamic and resilient shipping industry, exploring ship finance, maritime technology for enhanced safety and current developments and dynamics in the cruising industry.

With an aim to engage the young generation in maritime affairs, the organisers included in the program, according to Stelios Himonas, the Young Executives Session, which is organized in cooperation with WISTA Cyprus and YoungShip.

Addressing the Conference, IMO SG Kitack Lim noted that every time, the Conference “Maritime Cyprus” brings the maritime community together, showcasing its unwavering strength and potential and stressed that emphasizing and embodying this spirit of community through cooperation and collaboration is now more important than ever.

“We all are aware that, in a world fraught with unprecedented global challenges and uncertainties, the international shipping industry remains a steadfast force, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of goods across the globe,” he stressed, pointing out that the shipping industry leads the way towards a transition in maritime with innovative technologies promoting decarbonization, digitalization, and automation.

Kitack Lim pointed out that the success in navigating this transition depends on the collaboration among all maritime stakeholders, noting that the IMO serves as the global facilitator for these collaborations. “As the global standard-setting body for shipping, IMO ensures that the maritime sector operates safely, securely, efficiently, and sustainably in support of global trade,” he said and added that the robust global regulations and the highest practicable standards are essential for the sustainable and efficient operation of international shipping. 

Outgoing IMO SG noted that a significant milestone in this journey for global regulations towards a green and sustainable shipping sector is the recent adoption of the 2023 Strategy on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Shipping by IMO, “a groundbreaking agreement that sets an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around, i.e. close to 2050”.

He also stressed that as underscored by this year's Maritime Cyprus theme - "Shipping in Action" is imperative now to transform the ambitions outlined in the 2023 GHG Strategy into tangible reality.

Kitack Lim noted that as testament to the impact of IMO’s global regulations, there is a surge in R&D initiatives focused on these alternative fuels, along with technological innovation, including pilot projects for hydrogen and ammonia vessels.

“I invite the maritime industry to continue on this promising path,” he said.

In a video message to the Conference European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean underlined that this year’s conference main focus reflects the maritime sector’s clear engagement to putting itself in the best possible position for the future.

Saying that shipping is responsible for 80% of global freight, she stressed that this puts maritime partners in the unique position as influencers of demand for green fuels and new technologies.

“But they are not doing this alone. The EU supports this effort through the Innovation Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility and the Cohesion and Regional Funds,” she added.

She further noted that “it is also time for us to engage in a more structured dialogue on the industry’s future and on supporting European interests and ensuring a competitive level”.

But, she added, European shipping’s competitiveness can only be truly productive if the industry in Europe look beyond Euope’s shores.

“We are fully committed to ensure that clear fuels and more energy efficiency is pushed also globally” she said, pointing out that “the Agenda for Change is set and the shipping sector is ready to embrace this change and the European Commission will support this goal all the way”.

Works of “Maritime Cyprus 2023” will conclude Wednesday October 11.