Starting from the news, I would like you to tell us to what extent the pandemic is affecting the shipping industry in Cyprus.
The pandemic has and continues to have a significant impact on the shipping sector as it has created significant operational problems for both shipping companies and the vessels owned or managed by them. The Deputy Ministry of Shipping stood by the shipping industry and the various problems encountered and faced by Cypriot flagged ships, shipping companies based in Cyprus and even ships calling at Cypriot ports and flying foreign flags. The staff of the Ministry of State offers immediate (24/7) service and tries in every way to respond effectively to the various requests.
In terms of numerical performance, it should be noted that Cyprus Shipping has responded effectively to the crisis, showing enviable resilience with the sector's revenues and contribution to the economy remaining at pre-pandemic levels, with a slight increase in the number of companies registered in the Capacity Tax System of the Ministry of Shipping and the number of ships flying the Cypriot flag.
On a global scale, the pandemic has exacerbated problems in the supply chain, of which shipping is a vital tool and driver of growth.
It is true that the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by a large number of countries and ports around the world have caused major problems in the supply chain with significant delays in the movement of global trade. There is of course a different reading of the pandemic in relation to shipping as the vital role of the sector in the global economy was highlighted in a deafening way as despite the problems in the functioning of the supply chain, ships continued to operate carrying essential supplies and the necessary medical equipment to enable hospitals and households to respond to this unprecedented ordeal. We responded immediately to the humanitarian crisis faced by the shipping industry with the restrictions on crew changes and the repatriation of seafarers. In particular, in the last 20 months it has been possible to carry out crew changes and repatriate 55000 seafarers from airports and ports in Cyprus. In addition, Cyprus was the only state to propose a global vaccination programme for seafarers, which was adopted by a resolution of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), while we as a state also adopted a national programme for the vaccination coverage of 40,000 seafarers through which thousands of seafarers (crews of ships under the Cypriot flag or ships managed by shipping companies based in Cyprus) have been vaccinated. For all these actions, the Ministry of Shipping received praise from the global shipping community.
In 2021, the formulation of the strategic vision and long-term strategy "SEA Change 2030" of Cyprus shipping was completed. What does this strategy aim at?
2021 was a milestone year for the Deputy Ministry of Shipping and for Cyprus Shipping in general. With "SEAChange2030" we set the vision and goals for Cyprus Shipping and a new perception in the philosophy and approach of the way the Ministry of Shipping operates through the 3 main pillars on which the Strategy is based, those of Sustainability, Extroversion and Adaptability.
I am absolutely convinced that with the implementation of the 35 actions included in the "SEAChange2030" Strategy, Cyprus Shipping will change its level. It will become more resilient to crises, more efficient and proactive in addressing challenges (especially green and digital transformation), more competitive and with a stronger voice and leading presence in the international maritime scene.
Very soon, four years will have passed since the establishment of the Deputy Ministry. What priorities does 2022 hold in store?
With our "SEAChange2030" Strategy, there is now a clear plan as the 35 actions announced are accompanied by a timetable for planning and implementation. The aim is to implement the actions that fall within this timeframe. Each action planned and completed will be announced. The first announcements are expected in January. Priority will be given to the digital transformation of the Ministry of State, which will be launched in 2022 and will create the framework to offer an even more efficient and direct service to the shipping industry.
Special emphasis will be placed on the targeted promotion of the incentives and advantages of Cyprus Shipping in foreign shipping markets which, in combination with our Strategy, create much better conditions and dynamics for attracting new shipping companies to Cyprus and more quality ships to the Cyprus Register of Shipping. My aim is to have personal contact with the whole spectrum of the shipping industry. I want all those who put their trust in Cyprus Shipping to feel even more strongly that next to them there is a Maritime Administration that is ready to listen to suggestions and problems and provide solutions. Let us not forget that the aspects of Extroversion and Adaptability are key components of our Strategy and we will put them into practice.
One of the objectives of the State Secretary is to promote blue and maritime professions and to cultivate a maritime culture among our young people. Is there any interest?
The effort to communicate the importance and potential of the sea and shipping to the civil society and especially to our young people is continuous and intense. Cultivating a culture around Blue Development, maritime and shipping studies and related professions is a key target of the Ministry of State. The interactive campaign "SEA...your Horizon" (www.seayourhorizon.com) adopted in March 2021 and promoted in schools was a great success, as was the full-day experience "Live the Sea...Know Shipping" that we organised in October, bringing civil society together for the first time with 40 organisations working with the sea and shipping. These initiatives will become an institution.
In 2022 we will intensify our efforts, always in cooperation with the maritime industry, to communicate and inform properly about blue studies and related professions so that our young people can include them in their choices. We are an island nation and blue growth has great potential for our country. We are determined to share with our young people our love, knowledge, experience and the potential offered by the sea and shipping to ensure that there is a proper shift towards these professions. We send the message that our young people have a pathway and worthwhile options for a successful career both in shipping and in the wider blue professions.
The tender document for the Cyprus-Greece Maritime Passenger Link has already been published. What is your assessment of the outcome of this project?
The deadline for submission of tenders is 28 January. The tender document as formulated is the result of a thorough consultation with the carriers and a successful renegotiation with the European Commission. The conditions are now much more attractive to the carriers, with an increased subsidy of €5.5 million for 22 round trips instead of the €5 million for 31 round trips provided for in the previous tender document. There is also the possibility of extending the subsidy from 3 to 6 years on the basis of fully achievable and measurable passenger attraction targets.
I have recently met with organised groups and explained to them in detail how the whole service will work and I have found that the interest of our fellow citizens remains high. In addition, on our own initiative, I have recently had a meeting with my Israeli counterpart and through our joint Statement, Israel's desire to extend the link to cover the neighbouring country has been reflected, which will increase the chances of the service's viability. The efforts of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping to enable alternative connectivity for Cyprus with the state-subsidised Maritime Link to Greece are ongoing and intense. We hope that the carriers will embrace this effort and that their interest will be formally expressed by submitting a bid in the tender process.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
