Cyprus Shipping Chamber backs proposed National AI Strategy 2032

Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cyprus Shipping Chamber has backed the proposed National AI Strategy 2032 following a meeting with Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology Demetris Skourides.

Skourides presented the strategy to members of the chamber’s Digitalisation Committee, which shared its views on the proposals.

Consultation and cooperation

The chamber said it looked forward to continued cooperation with Skourides and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy to support the strategy’s effective implementation.

Public consultation on the proposed National AI Strategy 2032 is due to close on August 31. The document was prepared by the National AI Taskforce, chaired by Skourides, with members from the public and private sectors, academia and research.

According to the government’s consultation notice, the strategy aims to establish Cyprus as a trusted AI centre in the eastern Mediterranean by 2032 and as a European base for AI services linking the EU with neighbouring regions.

Shipping applications

The chamber’s Digitalisation Committee examines technology and communications affecting shipping companies and vessel operations, including satellite links between ships and shore. It also follows the International Maritime Organisation’s work on navigation, communications and search and rescue.

For shipping, the draft strategy targets fuel savings of 10 to 20 per cent and maintenance cost reductions of 30 to 40 per cent through improved route planning, predictive maintenance and digital vessel models.

Proposed routing tools would consider weather, currents, fuel prices and vessel performance. Digital models would analyse sensor data to identify maintenance requirements before equipment failures occur.

The draft also proposes AI tools to assist crews and operators in following changing regulations, improving coordination between vessels and ports, and identifying potential safety risks.

Data sharing and testing

The strategy envisages a shared maritime data space through which companies could contribute anonymised datasets for AI training while protecting commercial knowledge.

It also proposes supervised testing of autonomous surface vessels and drone inspections. A maritime centre of excellence could support the testing and wider adoption of these technologies.