The world known “Maritime Cyprus 2019” Conference was organised by the Shipping Deputy Ministry in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners between 7 and 9 October 2019, in Limassol. Once again, the Conference exceeded all expectations by welcoming hundreds of Shipping Industry leaders, decision-makers and top management from around the globe. This year the “Maritime Cyprus” Conference celebrated 30 years of organisation and has managed through these three decades to earn the recognition and respect of the Ιnternational Shipping community, becoming one of the “must attend” specialised shipping conferences worldwide.

The main theme for this year was “Sea Change”, having a focus on important topics relevant to the Shipping Industry, including shifts in established business models, regulatory challenges, environmental protection and the impact of technological transformation. The official Opening Ceremony of the working deliberations of the Conference on Monday, 7 October 2019, were made by H.E. the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades who emphasised that the Shipping Industry is an invaluable asset for the Cyprus economy, ensuring that the national measures are continuously enhanced, thus providing a stable and friendly environment for shipping companies covering a large spectrum of activities and services.

Following the Opening Ceremony of the working deliberations of the Conference, there were panel discussions by distinguished guests including the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Mr. Kitack Lim, EU Transport Commissioner, Ms. Violeta Bulc, Director for Waterborne Transport, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, Ms. Magda Kopczynska, and the Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping. Mr. Esben Poulsson, proving the significant position Cyprus Shipping holds in the global Shipping arena.

The Cyprus Shipping Chamber participated this year with a Panel discussion entitled “Are there brighter days ahead for Shipping?” offering an expert view on the current main commercial issues affecting International Shipping, setting the scene for even brighter days ahead. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Mark Williams, Managing Director of Shipping Strategy Ltd with the panel comprising Ms. Sadan Kaptanoglu, Chairwoman of Kaptanoglu Group and BIMCO President, Mr. Mikael Skov, CEO of Hafnia PTE Ltd, Mr. Ben Nolan, Managing Director of Maritime & Energy Infrastructure Research, Stifel Financial Corp, Mr. Philippos Philis, President of Cyprus Shipping Chamber, and Mr. Thomas Rehder, Managing Partner of Carsten Rehder Schiffsmalker and Reederei GMBH & Co. KG. The Chamber’s President highlighted the important factors that will further drive Shipping to the new era of transformation, with key drivers being decarbonisation and digitalisation.

The Cyprus Shipping Chamber expresses its appreciation to all who have contributed, especially its Member-companies, for this “Cyprus Shipping Olympics” to be yet again, another success and thus, projecting to the international shipping community, the sound shipping infrastructure that Cyprus has developed over the years.