The Cyprus Shipping Chamber welcomed the Secretary General of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), Mr. Sotiris Raptis, at its Monthly Members’ Meeting, enhancing further the close relations the Chamber has as a Member of ECSA.

During the Monthly Members’ Meeting, which was held within the framework of the “World Maritime Day” celebrations, on 28 September, the Chamber’s members had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Raptis about the effects of recent European Union policies in Shipping.

According to Mr. Raptis, with less than a year left until the next European Parliament elections, the EU has recently finalised the most critical legislative proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ climate package. With only a few months left for the Commission to introduce the implementing acts and the EU Member States to transpose the new regulations into national law, he focused on the most critical provisions of the new laws including the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), FuelEU Maritime, Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Directive (AFIR) and Renewable Energy Directive (RED). In particular, the possible effect on the uptake of cleaner fuels and a future alignment with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) measures were highlighted.

In the framework of his visit, Mr. Raptis also had the opportunity to meet with the Chamber’s Board of Directors and with the Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, Mr. Stelios Himonas. During the two courtesy meetings, there was a briefing of ECSA’s plans regarding the current issues that concern European Shipping and its further strengthening. Both the Chamber and Shipping Ministry, expressed Industry’s and Cyprus Government efforts to enhance EU Shipping, as Cyprus holds an important position with the third largest merchant fleet and largest shipmanagement center in the EU. The President of ECSA, Mr. Philippos Philis, who has been at the helm of the Association since January 2021, was also present at these meetings.