Athens, Greece. Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis carried out a working visit to Athens and Alexandria between February 4 and 9, the ministry said. The visit combined policy dialogue on shipping decarbonisation with regional cooperation meetings linked to Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency priorities.
Policy dialogue and meetings in Athens
According to a statement from the ministry released on Monday, Hadjimanolis took part in the 16th Capital Link Greek Shipping Forum in Athens. She joined a ministerial round table alongside Greece’s shipping minister Vasilis Kikilias, Malta’s transport minister Chris Bonett and US deputy assistant secretary of transportation Marco Sylvester.
On the sidelines, the ministers also met separately to discuss sector concerns and current developments surrounding shipping decarbonisation.
Mediterranean Maritime Academy graduation
During her stay in Athens, Hadjimanolis addressed the graduation ceremony of the Mediterranean Maritime Academy. She congratulated the new masters and engineers and referred to their “important and meaningful choice” to pursue a maritime career at a time of global seafarer shortages.
Alexandria conference and seafarer focus
Hadjimanolis travelled to Alexandria on February 7 as a guest of Egypt’s transport minister and delivered the keynote speech at the 15th International Maritime Transport & Logistics Conference (MARLOG-15).
The ministry said she was the only representative from an EU member state, reflecting the Cyprus-Egypt relationship and Cyprus’ regional role.
In her address, she said the green and digital transition of shipping cannot be achieved without the human factor, stressing the decisive role of seafarers. She also emphasised the need for continuous investment in education, skills upgrading and protection, adding that seafarers stand at the centre of Cyprus Presidency priorities in maritime transport.
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