Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister, Marina Hadjimanolis, is currently undertaking a strategic state visit to Bahrain to solidify maritime relations between the two nations. The visit, taking place from 5 to 8 September 2026, marks a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation, highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of shipping.

The official trip follows a direct invitation from Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Dr Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. During the visit, the Deputy Minister engaged in high-level bilateral meetings with her counterpart, alongside discussions with other competent authorities and the country’s political leadership, with the clear objective of expanding maritime cooperation between Cyprus and Bahrain.

The centrepiece of the visit is the signing of a formal Memorandum of Cooperation. This agreement establishes a robust framework for practical, day-to-day collaboration, facilitating the exchange of maritime expertise, technological insights, and industry best practices between the two jurisdictions.

This development is the culmination of sustained diplomatic and commercial efforts. It builds directly upon the official visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to Bahrain earlier this year in January 2026. Furthermore, it progresses the dialogue initiated during Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications’ visit to Cyprus in October 2025, where the groundwork for deepening bilateral shipping prospects was first laid.

Emphasising that this partnership extends beyond governmental policy to include commercial and research synergies, the Deputy Minister is accompanied by a high-profile delegation. Stavros Stavrou, President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), and Zacharias Siokouros, Chief Executive Officer of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), have joined the diplomatic mission.

Alongside the central political agenda, both Stavrou and Siokouros are conducting separate, targeted meetings with business leaders and academic representatives in Bahrain. This dual approach ensures that the new MoU will be supported by tangible commercial partnerships and collaborative maritime research initiatives, further cementing Cyprus’s position as a leading global maritime hub.