Seafarers must remain at heart of shipping’s future, says deputy minister

Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis on Tuesday called for seafarers to be placed at the heart of maritime policy, saying the future of global shipping depends not only on regulation and technology, but on the people who keep the industry moving. 

Speaking at the High-Level Ministerial Stakeholders Conference on ‘Investing in Seafarers: Securing the Future of Global Shipping’, held in Limassol, Hadjimanolis said the sector is facing a defining period as greener shipping, digital transformation and increasingly complex supply chains reshape the industry. 

“This conference places people firmly at the centre of maritime policy,” she said in her welcome address. 

“The future of shipping is not determined only by technology, regulation, or infrastructure, but by the people who operate, manage, and sustain it every single day,” she added. 

The conference, held in the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, brought together government officials, maritime stakeholders and industry representatives to discuss the future of the maritime workforce at a time of rapid change for global shipping. 

Hadjimanolis said the transition now under way brings both opportunity and responsibility, particularly as the industry seeks to attract, train and retain the next generation of seafarers. 

“As we meet here today, the maritime sector stands at a defining moment,” she said. 

“The transition towards greener shipping, the rapid pace of digital transformation and the growing complexity of global supply chains are reshaping our industry. These developments bring opportunity, but also responsibility,” she added. 

At the same time, the deputy minister described seafaring as a profession rooted in resilience, discipline and sacrifice, stressing its wider role in supporting global trade and connecting economies. 

“Seafaring is more than a career. It is a calling built on courage, discipline, sacrifice, and adventure,” Hadjimanolis said. 

“It connects nations, powers global trade, and keeps the world moving. For generations, seafarers have carried not only cargo across oceans, but also the spirit of resilience and progress,” she added. 

Hadjimanolis said the industry must do more to make maritime careers visible and attractive to young people, particularly as shipping adapts to new environmental and technological demands. 

“Now, it is our turn to keep that journey alive,” she said. 

“The maritime world is evolving, and so must we. We must inspire them to see the sea not as a distant horizon, but as a future worth pursuing,” she added. 

She concluded by saying that investment in young people is essential for the long-term future of the sector. 

“Because when we invest in young people, we keep the spirit of the sea alive,” Hadjimanolis concluded.