Maritime sector: even brighter future
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber has been the representative body of the locally based shipping industry, since its establishment in 1989. As such, it is one of the closest collaborators of the Ministry and of the Department of Merchant Shipping for the development and implementation of the Government’s shipping policy. Your contribution, support and cooperation in all shipping matters relating to technical and policy issues, as well as in modernising the maritime legislation, promoting the Cyprus flag and Cyprus shipping and in the organisation of the “Maritime Cyprus” Conference, is substantial and much appreciated.
The Cyprus Ship Registry today, ranks among the leading ship registries internationally and has the third largest merchant fleet within the European Union. The maintenance of a high quality fleet and the effective implementation of the internationally applicable safety, security and environmental protection standards, is the foundation on which Cyprus builds its reputation as a serious maritime flag and as a base for international operations.
Cyprus Shipping offers a wide range of fiscal and economic incentives, including competitive ship registration costs and annual tonnage taxes, ensuring the fleet´s worldwide competitiveness. The Cyprus Tonnage Tax System, which has been approved by the European Commission in 2010, creates a climate of stability for shipping entrepreneurs in Cyprus.
The sustainable growth of Cyprus Shipping is one of the mai priorities of the Cyprus Government. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works will do its utmost to enhance the competitiveness of our flag and of our maritime cluster.
In an effort to develop a holistic strategic development plan for the Cyprus shipping industry, a study has been completed in 2015. The study proposes measures that would strengthen the Cyprus merchant fleet and shipping cluster.
The outcome and recommendations of the study have been taken into consideration and three working groups were set up, comprised by experts from both the public and the private sector, in order to process, develop and implement all the proposed measures.
The working groups are working intensively during the last few months and some of their suggestions and measures have already been implemented. I am certain that within 2016 the holistic strategic development plan will be fully implemented and the results will be evident to all of us soon.
At this stage, I would like to thank you for your valuable contribution to the work of the above working groups. With the combined efforts of the public and private sector, we can develop our shipping industry further and we can look forward to increasing the contribution of shipping to our economy.
I am confident that the effective and successful implementation of the new Cyprus Shipping Strategy will widen the horizons of our shipping industry and create new opportunities for expansion into new markets.
Our objective for the future is to consolidate and further develop our role in world shipping and to provide the adequate conditions for a sustainable growth of the shipping sector in Cyprus.
The hard work and the excellent co-operation of the public and the private sectors throughout the years, are the underlying factors for the influential role that Cyprus enjoys in the international shipping industry. I am convinced that the excellent working relationship between my Ministry, the Department of Merchant Shipping and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber will continue, leading to new and better achievements.
I am confident that, with the coordinated efforts of all the stakeholders in Cyprus shipping, the maritime sector of Cyprus will have an even brighter future.