The Cyprus Shipping Chamber successfully held its 36th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, at the “Four Seasons” Hotel in Limassol. The General Meeting was addressed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, the President of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Annita Demetriou and the President of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Mr. Themis Papadopoulos. The event was also honoured by the presence of government and state officials, Ministers, party representatives, Members of Parliament, diplomats, representatives of professional organisations, as well as the resident Shipping Industry.

During his speech, the President of the Republic highlighted the important work carried out by the Shipping Chamber for the continuous progress of Cyprus Shipping, as well as the consistent recognition of Shipping by the Government as a stable pillar of the Cyprus Economy. He also emphasised the Government’s ongoing political support towards the Shipping Industry through targeted mechanisms and necessary measures to further strengthen it.

The President of the House of Representatives, stressed that the fact that the Shipping sector has remained a strong pillar of the Cyprus Economy despite international economic and geopolitical challenges is commendable. On behalf of all Members of the House of Representatives, she reaffirmed the commitment to continue the close cooperation with the Chamber for the advancement of the Cyprus Shipping Sector.

The President of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Mr. Themis Papadopoulos, in his speech, gave an extensive overview of the current state of Cyprus Shipping. He pointed out the main challenges facing the Shipping Industry, such as the ambitious decarbonisation agenda by the International Maritime Organisation and European Union, geopolitical developments and complex operational issues. He stressed the need for coordinated actions and closer cooperation to ensure the developmental course of Cyprus Shipping in an ever-changing international environment. Concluding, he warmly thanked the Chamber’s Associates and all its Member-Companies for their cooperation and steady support over the years.

Following this, the Chamber honoured the former Director General of the Chamber, Mr. Thomas A. Kazakos, in recognition of his long and valuable contribution during his 33 years of service and in assuming the position of Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping.

At the conclusion of the General Meeting, and as the term of Mr. Themis Papadopoulos as President of the Chamber came to an end, the Chamber honoured Mr. Papadopoulos with an honorary plaque in recognition of his contribution and leadership during his tenure. The plaque was presented to Mr. Papadopoulos, by the President of the Republic.

Earlier, elections were also held, to elect the new twelve-member Board of Directors of the Chamber for the period 2025–2027.

The composition of the new Board is as follows:

Mr. Andreas Neophytou – Marlow Navigation, President

Mr. Themis Papadopoulos – Interorient Navigation, Immediate Past President

Mr. Philippos Philis – Lemissoler Navigation, Vice President

Mrs. Julia Anastasiou – OSM Thome, Vice President

Mrs. Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou – Tototheo Global, Vice President

Mrs. Anna Vourgos – Aphentrica Marine Insurance Brokers, Member

Mr. Andreas Solomonides – Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, Member

Mr. Andreas Hadjipetrou – Columbia Shipmanagement, Member

Mr. John Pittalis – Intergaz, Member

Mr. Dieter Rohdenburg – InterMaritime Shipmanagement, Member

Mr. Chrysostomos Papavasiliou – Petronav Shipmanagement, Member

Mr. John Hadjiparaskevas – Uniteam Marine, Member