Italy and Cyprus to explore maritime cooperation at Limassol business forum

Limassol, Cyprus. Italy and Cyprus will seek closer cooperation in shipping, port development and maritime investment at a business forum on Friday, October 9. Government officials, shipowners and industry leaders will attend to explore new commercial opportunities.

Forum programme and priorities

The Italy-Cyprus Maritime Business Forum, organised by the Italian embassy in Nicosia, will begin at 9am at the DP World Cruise Terminal. Discussions will cover sustainable ports, shipping regulation and international maritime corridors.

According to the embassy’s official programme, the event will feature three panel discussions involving public- and private-sector representatives, with a particular focus on investment opportunities in Cyprus’ maritime industry.

The initiative aims to strengthen ties between shipowners, ship managers, shipyards, port operators, insurers and service providers from both countries, while supporting closer cooperation on maritime infrastructure and technology.

Maritime industries and investment

Shipping contributes around 7 per cent to Cyprus’ GDP, rising to approximately 25 per cent when the wider blue economy, including coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, is considered, according to figures cited by the organisers.

Italy has a substantial presence in shipbuilding, maritime logistics and insurance, with shipbuilding exports exceeding €5 billion in 2025. It also leads the global superyacht market, representing 56 per cent of worldwide orders by volume and 36 per cent by value.

With the two countries bringing different strengths to the sector, the forum will examine opportunities to expand commercial relationships and encourage investment in maritime services, infrastructure and green technologies.

Economic partnership

Italian ambassador to Cyprus Antonella Cavallari said the two countries had an opportunity to build a stronger economic partnership through their maritime industries.

“The sea has always connected Italy and Cyprus, and today it can become the engine of an even more ambitious economic partnership,” she said.