Limassol:The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently hosted partners from the PortAbility EU Project for a two-day study visit in Cyprus, focusing on the country's port and maritime ecosystem.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the event, held on October 6-7, included European project partners, public authorities, industry representatives, academia, and training organizations. The program featured presentations, site visits, and interactive workshops with an emphasis on sustainability, decarbonization, digitalization, innovation, and skills development.
The visit began at the Cyprus Ports Authority in Limassol, where participants learned about the development and future plans for Limassol Port. They also visited DP World and Eurogate to gain insights into port operations and sustainability initiatives. A significant focus was on the role of skills and vocational education and training (VET) in transforming the port and maritime sector. Discussions covered maritime clusters, innovation, training needs, and social inclusion, emphasizing collaboration between businesses, education, and public authorities.
Andreas Tsouloftas, President of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the importance of aligning skills development with business needs and the evolving port economy. He stated that the skills developed through VET should meet the real demands of businesses.
The second day included visits to Limassol Municipality and Limassol Marina, focusing on port-city integration and the twin transition. Participants also visited Vasiliko Port and Vasiliko Cement Works to explore port operations, industrial activity, and sustainability practices.
The program offered an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences and best practices while gaining a broader understanding of Cyprus's maritime ecosystem. It underscored the importance of collaboration in developing sustainable, innovative, and future-ready port regions. Tsouloftas noted that projects like PortAbility align with CCCI's mission to support innovation, foster skills development, and encourage international cooperation.
PortAbility is an Erasmus+ co-funded project uniting CCCI with 23 partners across Europe. It aims to enhance cooperation and develop VET systems to meet the changing needs of European port regions. Through activities like this study visit, the partnership strengthens connections between ports, businesses, education, and public stakeholders, aiding the transition to more sustainable maritime economies.