Shipowners union elevates Cyprus to leading maritime centre
The Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS) has taken a prominent role in recent years in promoting and strengthening the country’s shipping sector, according to union vice president Polys Hajioannou.
As the international representative of Cyprus’ shipowning community, the union has been instrumental in enhancing the Cyprus registry, positioning the Cyprus flag as a flag of choice for shipowners and companies.
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, Hajioannou highlighted several key initiatives that the union has undertaken to not only maintain the competitiveness of Cyprus the shipping sector, but also ensure its growth on a global scale.
“Today, the union is more active and robust than ever before and is committed to being the driving force in the efforts to enhance Cyprus’ leadership role in the international shipping arena,” Hajioannou said.
“We have worked relentlessly to maintain resilience and grow the Cypriot-flagged fleet, ensuring the future competitiveness of Cyprus shipping in Europe and on the global stage,” he added.
Hajioannou also stated that “promoting our flag worldwide as a sovereign country is a crucial embankment to the Turkish propaganda presenting us as a local community or administration”.
“After all, our union has emphasised on many occasions that we need a strong flag to have a stronger voice in Europe on all issues of importance to Cyprus, including reaching the best possible solution to the long-standing illegal division of our country,” he mentioned.
According to Hajioannou, one of the union’s most notable achievements has been its close collaboration with the Cypriot government to elevate the country’s status as a leading maritime centre.
Through this partnership, the union has helped establish Cyprus as a key player in the global shipping industry, generating significant investment opportunities and contributing to the country’s overall economic growth.
“Through the fruitful cooperation with the government, we have helped to establish Cyprus as a major player in the international shipping community and a leading global maritime centre, generating significant investment opportunities and contributing to the country’s economy and welfare,” said Hajioannou.
He pointed out that the CUS has been a key supporter of efforts to develop Cyprus into a maritime, energy and logistics hub.
The union’s members, he said, have used their international contacts to attract important business to the island, further solidifying its standing as a global shipping destination.
Prominent international shipping conferences such as Capital Link and Marine Money now feature Cyprus as a regular stop in their annual calendars, thanks in no small part to the union’s efforts.
He added that “the Maritime Cyprus Conference has been upgraded with the participation of world-class shipowners and other major stakeholders”.
The conference, he said, “examines the latest developments in new regulations and market conditions, attracting important businesspeople from all over the world”.
Hajioannou also stressed that the union’s role extends far beyond merely promoting Cyprus as a shipping destination.
‘DUTY AND OBLIGATION’
With the shipping industry being subject to a complex web of laws, policies and regulations from flag states, international bodies and organisations like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the union plays an essential role in monitoring these developments to safeguard the interests of its members.
“We consider it both our duty and obligation to keep a watchful eye on all the developments that affect the shipping industry and our members’ activities and interests,” Hajioannou explained.
He pointed out that the union has competent personnel dedicated to tracking daily updates on political, legal and regulatory changes that could impact the industry, allowing the union to issue timely reports to its members.
“One of our tasks is to have designated competent personnel to follow any updates on a daily basis and issue reports informing our members about important shipping, political and legal developments,” he said.
“We monitor government legislative and regulatory actions, initiatives by various international marine organisations, political trends and public policy relating to navigation, safety and shipping using our extensive access to sources providing a wealth of information,” he added.
Moreover, he explained that “having all the tools at our disposal to assess the performance of the Cyprus shipping sector, we can advise and help all our shipowners’ members to ensure that they comply with all financial and regulatory commitments and by doing so, we protect them from being held legally accountable in any of these matters”.
To further advance the Cyprus flag in today’s competitive shipping environment, the union is now supported by a newly established Shipowners Advisory Committee.
Set up by Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, the committee consists of “eight elite and world-class shipowners” who act as direct consultants to the deputy minister on issues relating to Cyprus-flagged ships.
“This esteemed Advisory Committee is a crucial step in ensuring that the Cyprus flag continues to be competitive,” said Hajioannou.
The committee’s members, including renowned industry leaders such as Dr John Coustas and Andreas Hadjiyiannis, provide guidance on how to further strengthen the Cyprus flag in the global maritime landscape.
THE FUTURE
Beyond immediate industry concerns, the union has also been focused on the future of the shipping industry, particularly in fostering interest among younger generations.
“We are convinced that developing a larger pool of highly qualified young talents is both a strategic priority and a competitive advantage to further attract international shipping business to Cyprus and expand the country’s maritime cluster,” Hajioannou said.
“We are profoundly focused on introducing the maritime professions to the younger generation informing them about the nature and benefits of pursuing a career in the shipping industry,” he added.
CUS members have been actively visiting schools to present the opportunities available in the shipping industry, as well as offering scholarship programmes for studies at maritime academies and European universities.
The union has also participated in various shipping events, such as the Thalassa Festival, which combine education with entertainment to engage young people.
“We also incentivise young people to take that next step towards the maritime industry through more personal incentives such as scholarship programmes offered to young individuals for studies at Maritime Academies and European Universities,” he stated.
The union’s contributions to Cypriot society extend beyond the maritime sector. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the union played a key role in supporting the government’s efforts, donating respirators and test kits at a critical time.
Members of the union also provided food packages to stranded Cypriot students in the United Kingdom during the early months of the pandemic.
Most recently, the union has supported humanitarian efforts abroad, including a significant donation of equipment for rescue operations aimed at saving the lives of immigrants being trafficked across the Mediterranean.
The union also donated €300,000 worth of food aid to Gaza as part of the Cyprus government’s humanitarian mission, a project that garnered praise from the international community.
Indeed, during a recent event held by the union in Athens, president Christodoulides said that “the Republic of Cyprus can provide solutions to significant regional, European and international challenges,” before thanking the CUS “for their tangible and substantial participation in this initiative by contributing food aid worth €300,000”.
“All the above contributions have undoubtedly highlighted the role of shipowners in promoting the Cyprus flag, safeguarding our national interests and offering support wherever needed to the Cyprus society,” Hajioannou concluded.