Cyprus seeks stronger shipping ties with China and competitive environmental rules
Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis met maritime companies in Shanghai and urged consistent international rules to support investment and shipping’s green transition.
Shanghai, China. Cyprus has intensified its drive to attract Chinese maritime business through meetings between Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis and leading shipping companies in Shanghai. Hadjimanolis also advocated international environmental regulation that safeguards the sector’s competitiveness.
Building commercial links
The minister met Chinese shipowners, shipbrokers and shipbuilders to reinforce established business relationships and identify scope for additional cooperation.
A key meeting brought her together with COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry vice-president Swem Sun and senior managers to discuss closer maritime links between China and Cyprus.
Cyprus’ ambassador to China, Koula Sophianou, and Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS) president Polys Hajioannou accompanied Hadjimanolis. They also took part in discussions with executives representing Guohang Shipping Ocean Group and New Yangtze Navigation.
The delegation’s programme included a meeting with Seaborne Shipbrokers S.A. chief executive Vasilis Koutroulis, as it sought to broaden its contacts within the Chinese shipping sector.
Investment certainty and regulation
Following those meetings, Hadjimanolis spoke in Pudong at the 10th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum on Tuesday, October 20. She joined Greek Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias in a ministerial discussion covering global shipping challenges, including investment, regulatory issues and decarbonisation.
With pressure mounting on shipowners to upgrade fleets, Hadjimanolis said governments needed to offer sufficient certainty for businesses planning investments over the longer term.
She argued that a competitive maritime sector required a stable, predictable operating environment and the capacity to adjust to change. Cyprus, she said, was committed to maintaining dependable business conditions that encourage investment and sustained growth.
Green and digital transition
Hadjimanolis highlighted Cyprus’ membership of the EU and its seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council. She called for workable shipping rules aligned internationally and designed to support the industry’s transition.
Environmental sustainability and commercial competitiveness should advance together, she said, allowing shipping to pursue both green and digital changes without losing its competitive position.
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