Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) Director General Thomas Kazakos expressed concerns οver the way that Yemen's Houthi attacks on ships crossing the Red Sea affect Cyprus, and especially country’s imports, stressing at the same time the need to ensure safe and free navigation.

Speaking on Monday in Limassol during a press conference held on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the CSC Thomas Kazakos explained that the unstable situation in the Red Sea has nothing to do with the flag origin, in the sense that its negative effects are not related to the registry in which the attacked vessels are registered.

The CSC DG emphasized that the effects of the Houthi attacks on vessels navigating through the Red Sea have begun to affect the global trade and the international economy.

Concerning Cyprus, the market of which depends to a very large extent on imports, although there has not been any attack against a Cypriot-flagged ship or ships owned by companies based in Cyprus, there is concern, he noted, as the change of the routes of ships carrying large cargoes that also serve Cyprus, may negatively affect the country's imports rate.

"Cypriot shipping and the Cypriot fleet have not been affected, but what is important is to ensure free navigation," he pointed out.

"For us it is a matter of principle that international shipping must remain unaffected as otherwise international trade and the global economy will be affected and as a consequence the daily life of all of us will be affected," Kazakos said, and explained that in case there are shortages of raw materials or fuel or food then this is something that will affect every citizen.

He underlined the need to protect ships, indicating that if the current situation in the Red Sea is allowed to continue, no one can guarantee that something similar will not occur in other areas in the future.

"It is necessary for states to provide the necessary protection to free navigation," he noted.

He  also explained that due to the fact that Cyprus is a relatively small economy and also due to its geographical position, delays should be expected for cargoes of ships not using Suez Canal but navigating around Africa.

He reiterated that the most important thing at this moment is not to allow this situation to continue, reminding that ships do not only transport goods but also have personnel who are at risk from these attacks.

In this context, he welcomed the decision of the EU to deploy a naval force to protect the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and endorsed the position of the Cypriot government in relation to the need to take measures to solve the problem.

Maritime policy issues and EU maritime policy

In the context of the press conference, the CSC DG also referred to the need to make Cyprus an even more attractive destination for the registration of ships or ship-owning companies, recalling the legislation for the registration of limited liability shipping companies that was approved a couple of years ago. As he revealed, the adoption of the relevant regulations is in the final stages, indicating that the implementation of these regulations will provide even greater impetus to the registration of ships and shipping companies in the Cypriot registry.

On the occasion of the upcoming European elections in June, the CSC DG noted the need to upgrade shipping , on the occasion of the formation of the new European Commission. He explained that at the present stage, at the level of the European Commission, shipping matters fall under the responsibilities of a total of 7 different directorates-general, and spoke of the need to upgrade the position of shipping at the EU level. He finally emphasized that Cyprus should take advantage of its special status in the maritime sector, potentially seeking to undertake a shipping-related portfolio in the new European Commission.

CSC celebrates its 35 years with an updated logo and many activities for 2024

During the press conference, the Director General also presented the Chamber’s new logo and a series of events planned for 2024.

Recalling that the Cyprus Shipping Chamber is the trade association of the Cyprus shipping industry and one of the largest national shipping associations worldwide, with more than 200 member-companies in Cyprus and abroad, he emphasized that the CSC’s main purpose is to promote the interests of Cyprus shipping, to further promote the reputation of the Cyprus flag and to act as a lobbying group for the promotion and safeguarding of the legitimate interests of its members.

Within the framework of its 35 years milestone, the Chamber, will organise various business, social and charity events, which are expected to elevate the status of Cyprus Shipping by attracting significant local and international shipping professionals. According to Kazakos, this year’s activities include CSC’s annual high level business functions, addressed to executives of the shipping industry, CSC’s member companies as well as government and political party officials.