FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE, LIMASSOL – Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis welcomed international maritime leaders to Limassol for the opening of the “Maritime Cyprus 2025” Conference, calling the event a celebration of the industry’s resilience and global influence.
Speaking after President Christodoulides, Hadjimanolis addressed delegates from India, Qatar, Bahrain, Greece, Poland, and Malta, among others, emphasizing Cyprus’s role as a strategic maritime hub and sovereign flag state with more than six decades of experience.
“Whether it is ideas, products or goods, nothing changes until it moves,” Hadjimanolis said. “This morning, the heart of international shipping beats strongly in Cyprus.”
The biennial conference, first held in 1989, has grown into a major platform for global dialogue on shipping policy, innovation, and sustainability.
Hadjimanolis highlighted Cyprus’s evolution from its first port of registry in Ammochostos to its current base in Limassol, following the 1974 Turkish invasion.
She credited the success of Cyprus’s shipping sector to close cooperation between public institutions and private stakeholders, including the Cyprus Union of Shipowners and the Cyprus Shipping Chamber.
“Cyprus shipping is not only about fleets or vessels—it is about the people,” she said, praising the country’s professional maritime workforce and honoring those who contributed to the industry’s development.
Hadjimanolis urged participants to continue investing in innovation and collaboration to ensure the sector remains competitive and resilient. “We are not resting on history; we are building a future,” she said.
The conference runs through the week, featuring panels, exhibitions, and bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Cyprus’s position in the global maritime landscape.