Cypriot shipping industry ‘stronger than ever’, Christodoulides says

The Cypriot shipping industry is “stronger than ever”, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.

Christodoulides was speaking at a gala dinner held by the Shipping deputy ministry in honour of the 60th anniversary of the Cypriot shipping register in Limassol, and said “I am particularly proud, and this is reflected in the importance that the government attaches to this sector.”

He added that the government’s “primary goal” is to attract foreign investment to Cyprus through shipping.

However, despite his own efforts, he said the importance of shipping is “not recognised at the European Union level”.

He said that” following a proposal from the maritime community, I had addressed the President of the European Commission [Ursula von der Leyen] requesting and highlighting, first of all, the importance that shipping has for the EU,” but that his appreciation for shipping had not been shared by Von der Leyen.

Undeterred, however, he said “the geopolitical dimension of shipping should be highlighted taking into account international developments,” and said that he hopes such matters will be highlighted “with the new Commission that will take over in 2024”.

He added that he had spoken with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the matter, and that they had both agreed.

In addition, he said the government is not resting on its laurels as regards shipping, and said that “action, constant consultation, dealing with the constant challenges, adapting, and taking advantage of any opportunities which may present themselves, are necessary conditions to ensure a sustainable future of the Cypriot shipping registry and of our shipping in general.”