Cyprus has pledged to protect the competitiveness of European shipping as the industry faces a “delicate moment” of rising regulatory pressure and green transition costs.

Following talks in Brussels, Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis and ECSA chief Sotiris Raptis met for a working lunch, where they called for a “realistic” approach to emissions that avoids eroding the sector’s global standing.

At the moment, European shipping is facing mounting regulatory demands, the practical challenges of the green transition and an increasingly complex geopolitical and commercial landscape, all at once.

Against this background, the discussion focused on how Europe’s shipping industry can remain competitive while adapting to tighter environmental and policy frameworks.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need for a realistic, technologically neutral approach to emissions reduction, alongside the sector’s critical role in maintaining the EU’s security of supply and supporting economic resilience.

Hadjimanolis also set out the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency in maritime transport, stressing the importance of close cooperation with the shipping industry and its institutional representatives.

The objective, she said “is to develop policies that strengthen sustainability without eroding the sector’s global competitiveness.”

Commenting on the meeting on her personal social media platform, the Deputy Minister said “Today I had the pleasure of attending a working lunch with my colleagues, with the Raptis, with whom we exchanged views on the challenges of European shipping and the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency on maritime transport issues.”

From ECSA’s side, Raptis referred to the association’s role as a key interlocutor with the European Commission and EU member states, while pointing to the need for coordinated European policies that reflect the global nature of shipping and its operational realities.

The exchange emphasised a shared view between Cyprus and ECSA on the importance of preserving a strong and competitive European maritime hub. It also confirmed the intention on both sides to maintain an ongoing and structured dialogue, as significant legislative and policy decisions at EU level continue to unfold.