11/05/2016 16:02
Merchant shipping constitutes an “invaluable asset of our country,” Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Marios Demetriades said on Tuesday, pledging that shipping is on the top of both the government`s and his list.
Addressing an event titled “Shipping: an industry of passion, knowledge and experience”, Demetriades said these words are keys to the success of the shipping industry, not only for the private sector but for the public sector as well.
Demetriades added that the fact that Cyprus is a world class shipping centre, “is attributed to a large extent to its passionate shipping people in the private and public sectors, their knowledge, know-how and expertise.”
“Merchant shipping is a sector of which we are very proud. It represents an invaluable asset for our country and is on the top of our priority list of the whole Government, of the responsible Ministry and also the President himself,” he said.
Recalling that the Cyprus Shipping Registry ranks among the leading ship registries internationally and has the third largest merchant fleet within the European Union characterized by high standards of quality and safety, Demetriades underlined that Cyprus however, is not just a flag; Cyprus is a whole maritime centre. “It is a whole industry situated in Cyprus, an industry that we are proud of.”
“Our integrated maritime cluster comprises ship owning, ship management and chartering companies, as well as companies involved in other shipping related activities, such as marine insurance, equipment suppliers, telecommunications, ship bunkering and the ports,” he went on to say.
Noting that the sector employs 40,000 people, Demetriades stressed that he strongly believes that the sector can grow more and it can employ more people, both onshore but also offshore as well.
He said the government will offer a number of scholarships for those interested to attend courses on maritime industry. "We have to encourage these new courses because we have to accept that we need new blood in the industry", he concluded.
Addressing an event titled “Shipping: an industry of passion, knowledge and experience”, Demetriades said these words are keys to the success of the shipping industry, not only for the private sector but for the public sector as well.
Demetriades added that the fact that Cyprus is a world class shipping centre, “is attributed to a large extent to its passionate shipping people in the private and public sectors, their knowledge, know-how and expertise.”
“Merchant shipping is a sector of which we are very proud. It represents an invaluable asset for our country and is on the top of our priority list of the whole Government, of the responsible Ministry and also the President himself,” he said.
Recalling that the Cyprus Shipping Registry ranks among the leading ship registries internationally and has the third largest merchant fleet within the European Union characterized by high standards of quality and safety, Demetriades underlined that Cyprus however, is not just a flag; Cyprus is a whole maritime centre. “It is a whole industry situated in Cyprus, an industry that we are proud of.”
“Our integrated maritime cluster comprises ship owning, ship management and chartering companies, as well as companies involved in other shipping related activities, such as marine insurance, equipment suppliers, telecommunications, ship bunkering and the ports,” he went on to say.
Noting that the sector employs 40,000 people, Demetriades stressed that he strongly believes that the sector can grow more and it can employ more people, both onshore but also offshore as well.
He said the government will offer a number of scholarships for those interested to attend courses on maritime industry. "We have to encourage these new courses because we have to accept that we need new blood in the industry", he concluded.