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By Marios Demetriades
Cyprus Minister of Transport
The first session of the International Advisory Committee for the establishment of Faculty of Marine Science and Technology at the University of Cyprus reflects the excellent cooperation between our Ministry and the University of Cyprus, based on a relevant Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2013.
I would like to express my congratulations to the University of Cyprus for its decision to embark in such a new academic challenge. I am positive that we will have the opportunity to brainstorm and exchange challenging information and views about marine science technology, and how it can fit to the contemporary needs of Cyprus.
The availability of skilled human resources is at the very core of economic growth and employment. Therefore, the establishment of Faculty of Marine Science and Technology is a very important step for academia and growth, as it will supply our country with high quality education and training. I will also assist to a great extent our efforts towards establishing Cyprus as a maritime education hub in the Mediterranean.
Merchant shipping is a business sector originally created back in 1963 for which we are very proud of. It represents an invaluable asset for our country and consequently is placed on the top of our priority list. The Cyprus Ship Registry ranks among the leading ship registries internationally and has the third largest merchant fleet within the European Union, while it’s characterised by high standards of quality and safety. Cyprus, however, is not just a flag: Cyprus is a respected and fully fledged competitive international maritime centre, comprising, inter alia, ship owning, ship management and chartering companies and companies involved in other maritime related activities, representing 7% of our GDP.
Another promising development for the Cyprus shipping industry is the discovery of hydrocarbons in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus. Cyprus has the potential to be developed into an important energy centre in the Mediterranean. Offshore exploration and production of gas and oil, as well as their transportation ashore, require the operation of specialised ships and equipment and the supply of appropriate supporting services. Thus, synergies are currently emerging between our shipping industry and the newly established local offshore oil and gas industry.
A variety of developments affecting Cyprus in the last 15 years – inter alia Cyprus’s accession to the EU, discovery of hydrocarbons in the EEZ, adoption of an Integrated Maritime Policy-adoption of a framework for Maritime Spatial Planning – has substantially changed and expanded the role and strategic objective of our Ministry, ensuring that Cyprus effectively implements its international and EU duties as a flag State, port State and coastal State.
Therefore, from our point of view the establishment of Faculty of Marine Science and Technology shall inevitably assist in a substantial manner Cyprus to perform its aforementioned three state duties.
