Limassol: “We’re looking to have a just and equitable transition in shipping. We can only do that if we come together at IMO. And we focus not only on the green environmental agenda than normally hit the headlines. We focus on safety, which is one of the core areas,” International Maritime Organization Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said Monday, addressing the ‘Maritime Cyprus 2025’ Conference taking place in the coastal town of Limassol.
According to Cyprus News Agency, shipping will continue to grow by around 2% for the next 5 years, as outlined in the United Nations Trade and Development Maritime Review. Dominguez highlighted additional challenges facing the industry, emphasizing the importance of global implementation of regulations to address these issues effectively.
Addressing the participants, Dominguez called on them to collaborate in advancing “with a global regulation that is going to allow us to maintain the global sector when it comes to shipping.” He expressed his disapproval of regional measures, urging the European Union and other countries with regional or national measures to align with global regulations set by the IMO.
He also mentioned meetings held in Cyprus within the framework of the Conference, emphasizing the value of listening, sharing, and adapting to improve the sector. Dominguez praised President Christodoulides’ ongoing commitment to supporting the maritime industry, noting Cyprus’s tangible improvements linked to the work of the IMO.
The IMO Secretary General acknowledged Cyprus’s introduction of green incentives in accordance with IMO recommendations, offering up to 30% reductions in registration. The compliance with IMO instruments is reflected in a 20% increase in the registry over the past two years. He commended Cyprus for its role as a center for ship management and its active participation in IMO negotiations.
In her address, Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis highlighted the success of Cyprus shipping, attributing it to close collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance competitiveness and quality. She emphasized the partnerships with the Cyprus Union of Shipowners and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, demonstrating that collective effort and mutual respect are key to enduring success.
Hadjimanolis stressed that Cyprus shipping is not just about fleets or vessels but about the people-the talented, dedicated, and professional workforce that defines the industry’s strength. She urged participants to continue innovating, collaborating, and investing in the future of shipping to ensure its competitiveness and resilience.
The “Maritime Cyprus” Conference, organized biennially by the Shipping Deputy Ministry in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, was first established in 1989. It has since become one of the world’s most significant and well-attended shipping conferences, attracting approximately 800 shipping executives globally. Distinguished guests and world-class experts gather to analyze and discuss specialized issues pertinent to the shipping industry.