CIIM enhances executive shipping course, MSc

The voice of Cyprus in world shipping will be heard loud and clear during the next decade. This was the central message of the first international shipping conference for liner shipping and container markets held last month in Limassol.

The importance of Cyprus as a regional services centre for the shipping industry, as well as the size of the fleet registered under the Cyprus flag and managed by Cyprus-based shipping companies is expected to grow considerably over the next years, creating more positions for shipping and maritime executives, the conference concluded.

The Cyprus International Institute of Management (CIIM) has responded to these positive predictions with the introduction of Shipping Management executive courses and of the MSc in Shipping Management, which is designed to equip professionals with the management skills, knowledge and expertise required for a successful career in the demanding world of maritime, shipping and logistics business.

CIIM’s MSc in Shipping Management is taught by top professors from leading universities like Oxford, Harvard, the Cranfield School of Management, University of Colorado, and University College Dublin. The MSc’s Programme Director Dr Photis Panayides, who has extensive and international research and teaching experience in shipping management, was among the speakers at the conference that focused on “Containerisation – Market Developments”.

More than 100 senior executives in shipping attended the conference, which was addressed by the Minister of Communications and Works, Haris Thrassou, the Ambassador of China Zhao Yali, Limassol Mayor Andreas Christou, the President of the Cyprus Shipping Council Andreas Droussiotis, the General Manager of the Cyprus Ports Authority Yiannakis Kokkinos and executives from major shipping groups.

CIIM’s Panayides spoke on “Liner Shipping Competitiveness in the Supply Chain Era”. He noted that forming the right co-operative relationships may reduce the risk of shipping companies getting stuck between first and third tier strategic groups, and thus becoming less competitive.

Dr Panayides stressed that one of the main factors influencing competitiveness in the supply chain era is transshipment prospects, influenced by traffic growth, carrier consolidation, increase in ship size, port efficiencies and port supply chain orientation. All these factors increase the need for professional and efficient management in shipping and maritime logistics companies.