The Cyprus Union of Shipowners, recently established from the merger of three other shipowner associations, is on track to realise the long time ambition of many in the trade to set up a Chamber of Shipping.
“This will be achieved towards the end of this year or in early 2006 for sure,” said Michael Ioannides, Secretary General of the new Union and founder of the Union of European Shipowners with Cyprus Flag Ships.
The president of the CUS is Charalambos Mylonas, founder of the Union of Cypriot Shipowners (Searovers Ltd.), while Polis L. Haji-Ioannou, son of Loucas Haji-Ioannou, is the Honorary President of the Union.
The CUS executive board had a series of meetings on Friday with the Minister of Transport, Haris Thrassou, Presidential Commissioner Polakis Sarris, officials at the Dept. of Merchant Shipping and the Greek Ambassador in Cyprus, Christos Panagopoulos.
During these meetings they reiterated that the CUS is considered a pillar of the Cyprus merchant fleet, with 65% of the flag either Cyprus-owned or operated by Cypriot companies in Greece.
Ioannides said that discussions also focussed on establishing a joint maritime policy with Greece, with the Minister of Merchant Marine visiting the island in March for this purpose.
CUS has also embarked on a campaign to cultivate ‘maritime education’ and achieve greater awareness through the participation in EU and international fora, especially as Greece and EU newcomers Cyprus and Malta, jointly own 75% of the European fleet.
Ioannides said that efforts will also be coordinated to strengthen the Cyprus flag and avoid the gradual move to flags of convenience.
He said that while the priorities of the maritime industry in 2004 were EU accession and harmonisation, in 2005 these will focus on the issues related to the penalisation of seamen, “because we need to protect our human resources.”
He said that another issue will be Turkey’s unavoidable lifting of its embargo against Cyprus-flag ships, that will give a tremendous boost to the island’s maritime sector with great opportunities for expansion and trade prospects.
“Turkey will have to implement the Customs Union. We expect some good news by March or April,” Ioannides.
Nicos Christodoulides, representing Polys L. Haji-Ioannou said that the shipping sector contributes some CYP 300 mln in annual earnings to the Cyprus economy.
“If Greece can generate some 17 bln euros in earnings from the maritime sector, and only 10 bln from tourism, surely we too can contribute similar amounts to the Cyprus economy,” he said.
During a ceremony on Friday night, the CUS executive board members also made a contribution to the Tsunami aid relief with a donation presented to First Lady Photyne Papadopoulou, President of the Cyprus Red Cross.
