A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the recognition of the training and certification of seafarers holding certificates issued by the Governments of both countries, was signed yesterday, June 11 2024, in Limassol, Cyprus.

The MoU was signed by the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis and the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro, Mr. Filip Radulovic.

The signing of the MoU is part of the broader policy of the Shipping Deputy Ministry to expand Cyprus’s bilateral external relations.

A bilateral meeting was held between the two Ministers, during which, in addition to the matters reflected in the Memorandum, issues of common interest between the two countries were also discussed.

It is noted that the signing of this MoU provides those who use the flags of the two countries the option to employ masters and officers of merchant ships from Montenegro and vice versa, which is especially important today where there is a serious problem of shortage of seafarers in the aforementioned professions.

The MoU confirms the mutual will of both the Shipping Deputy Ministry and the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro, as well as the Governments of the two countries, to further strengthen their cooperation both at bilateral level, as well as in the context of their joint participation in international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

In her statement, Ms. Hadjimanolis expressed, among other things, her satisfaction that through the MoU, a possibility is provided to establish and develop a new cooperation. She also added that this cooperation will be governed by systematic communication between the Parties, in areas falling under the competencies of the two Ministries, as well as opening a channel of communication for the consideration of new partnerships with Montenegro.

The Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs of Montenegro stated that with the signing of this Memorandum, seafarers will have the opportunity to be employed on Cyprus ships, which are currently over a thousand in number, with the highest standards of training, safety and quality of work, which makes this initiative vital for the future of the Montenegrin maritime industry.