Cyprus promotes shipping ties with Japan at Tokyo reception

Tokyo, Japan. Cyprus is intensifying its outreach to Japan’s shipping sector, with Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis hosting a Tokyo reception to promote the national flag and strengthen maritime business links.

Registry reception explores partnerships

According to the Shipping Deputy Ministry, representatives from Japanese business and maritime circles attended the event, which presented Cyprus’s role as a global shipping hub and the benefits available under its flag.

The reception also examined prospects for partnerships and deeper maritime cooperation with Japan. Polys Hajioannou, president of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS), gave the opening speech at the event for the Cyprus Ship Registry.

Forum to address policy and investment

The reception is one element of a broader series of meetings in Tokyo. Hadjimanolis is also scheduled to participate in the 5th Capital Link Japan Maritime Forum on Friday, October 16.

Her planned discussion with Nicolas Bornozis, president of Capital Link, will cover competitiveness, maritime policy and cooperation internationally. Hajioannou, who also leads Safe Bulkers, appears on the speaker list for discussions about international shipowners’ business dealings with Japan.

The forum programme includes financing for ships, fleet replacement and Japanese shipbuilding plans, with shipowners, lenders and shipyards taking part. Development of vessels powered by ammonia is another topic, with NYK Line and Nihon Shipyard among the participating companies.

Safe Bulkers orders underline existing links

The Cypriot shipping sector’s relationship with Japan already includes newbuilding orders.

Safe Bulkers said in May that it had reached agreements covering four dry bulk vessels to be built in Japan. These comprise three Kamsarmax ships of 82,000 deadweight tonnes each and a Capesize vessel of 182,000 deadweight tonnes.

Delivery of all four is scheduled for 2029. The agreements remained conditional on customary documentation requirements and closing conditions.

Greece pursues parallel maritime talks

The Cypriot visit coincides with a separate Greek initiative to deepen maritime relations with Japan. Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s Shipping and Island Policy Minister, is visiting for discussions covering shipping, shipbuilding, infrastructure at ports and safety at sea. It is the first such visit by a Greek shipping minister for 13 years.

The Greek ministry said Japan built 24 per cent of Greece’s merchant fleet under Greek ownership, while Greek shipowners hold second place for new-vessel orders at Japanese shipyards.

Athens has also stressed that both countries uphold the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and support freedom of navigation.