Cyprus has become a founding member of the Mediterranean and Black Sea Technology Platform for Maritime and Marine Research Innovation and Training (PTMB).
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber recently participated in the launching of the Mediterranean and Black Sea Technology Platform for Maritime and Marine Research Innovation and Training (PTMB), as the shipping industry's representative in the Cyprus delegation, which also included a representative of the Department of Merchant Shipping.
The aim of the Chamber’s participation in the Cyprus delegation was to assist the Cyprus Maritime Administration to become a member of the Mediterranean and Black Sea Technology Platform and to create its own Technology Platform, to promote the Chamber’s strength on maritime expertise, best practice and know-how, and to help steer discussions and develop projects that will benefit Cyprus Shipping and the Chamber’s members.
The launching of the Platform took place on May 18 in Rome, Italy.
According to a press release, the European Commission with the communication on ''An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union'' (the Blue Book), while recognising that the seas and coasts are essential for the welfare and prosperity of the Union, underlines the need to rapidly implement an integrated maritime policy to enhance Europe's capability to face the challenges of globalisation and competitiveness, climate change, degradation of the marine environment, maritime safety and security, and energy security and sustainability, which must be based on excellence in marine research, technology and innovation.
The Mediterranean and Black Sea areas with their coastline, the excellence of their maritime traditions and the dimension of their industrial, tourism, research and training activities are inextricably linked to the sea from which a significant source of national GDP is generated.
For these reasons, the Technology Platform has been launched for the purpose of defining and implementing the Blue Book policies on research, technology and innovation, not only within the EU but also with particular attention to the progressive development of a maritime policy involving all Mediterranean and Black Sea countries.
