European, Cyprus shipowners discuss financial crisis, piracy, emissions

The world financial crisis and its effects on European shipping, as well as the serious problem of piracy and armed attacks on shipping were the main topics of discussion at the annual board meeting of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) in Brussels.
Cyprus was represented by the president of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Capt. Dirk Fry and the CSC’s Director General, Thomas Kazakos.
The meeting also discussed issues related to air /ship emissions, the measures adopted by the international shipping industry to reduce even further the amounts of green house gas emissions and the state aid guidelines and taxation of European shipping companies.