Lim and Vălean address Maritime Cyprus Conference

With the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization Kitack Lim present at the Cyprus Maritime Conference underway in Limassol and Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport making her address through a video greeting, both underlined the importance of the shipping sector.

Among other things, Lim referred to the long-term challenges of the industry, including efforts to attract young people to the sector.

He also acknowledged the progress the shipping industry has made so far, going on to emphasize the importance of continuing to address existing and incoming challenges. He also highlighted the value of the Maritime Cyprus Conference in offering a platform for collaboration among all maritime stakeholders. Marking his final attendance of the Maritime Cyprus Conference as IMO Secretary General, he concluded that it is imperative that rules and regulations for shipping are amended and implemented globally by the maritime community.

Click here to read Lim's full address, as provided by the IMO.

On her part, Vălean reiterated the European Commission’s commitment to supporting the shipping sector.

She also referred to the many opportunities for shipping that are on the horizon, stressing the importance of flexibility in driving the development of green fuels, and the adoption of energy efficiency technologies. “Throughout this process, we must look beyond Europe’s shores to enact changes globally,” she concluded.

The Maritime Cyprus Conference is an established biennial event organised by the Shipping Deputy Ministry in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners.

Since being established in 1989, it has grown into one of the world’s most significant shipping conferences, bringing together more than 1,000 participants, including shipowners, shipping executives, regulators, and state officials from all over the world, including high-calibre speakers.

As noted by its organisers, Maritime Cyprus provides the opportunity to the participants to become familiar with the strong maritime tradition of Cyprus and the maritime cluster in Limassol. The event also aims to help ensure Cyprus maintains and enhances its role as an advanced, proactive, competitive maritime nation with a positive contribution both in Europe and internationally.

Speakers and panelists at this year’s event will include President Nikos Christodoulides, Dr. Stelios D. Himonas, Conference Chairman, Permanent Secretary, Shipping Deputy Ministry, Kitack Lim, Secretary General, International Maritime Organization, Adina Vâlean, European Commissioner for Transport, Marina Hadjimanolis, Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Arsenio Dominguez, Director, Marine Environment Division, Secretary-General Elect, IMO.

They also included but are not limited to Themis Papadopoulos, CSC President, CEO, Interorient Navigation Co Ltd, Emanuele Grimaldi, ICS Chairman, President & MD, Grimaldi Euromed SpA, Philippos Philis, ECSA President, Chairman & CEO, Lemissoler Navigation Ltd., Dr Gaby Bornheim, President, German Shipowners' Association, Nikolaus H. Schues, President, BIMCO, George Mouskas, Vice President, Cyprus Union of Shipowners, Andreas Hadjiyiannis, President Cyprus Union of Shipowners

Panel discussions included in this year’s programme, with the participation of high profile invited shipping specialists, will be discussing the main challenges shipping faces today, including ‘Sustainable Shipping towards 2050: a Mission (Im)Possible?,’ ‘The Shipowners’ perspective on the future of EU shipping,’ ‘Challenge Accepted: Energy Transition – Where do we Stand?,’ ‘The Role of Shipbuilding in an Evolving Shipping Industry,’ ‘Navigating the Seas of Capital: Exploring Ship Finance,’ and ‘Digital Transformation and current developments.’