Hadjimanolis and Dominguez discuss shipping sector challenges

Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis and Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco, who will begin his duties as the new Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 1 January 2024, exchanged views at the Cyprus Maritime Conference currently underway in Limassol.

Attended by some 900 delegates from around the world, 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.

In a dialogue on the Conference stage, Hadjimanolis and Dominguez discussed his future plans for the IMO and how some of the most important chronic challenges to the shipping industry could best be managed.

Both agreed on several points, including the need to attract new blood to the shipping sector and encourage diversity, among other points.

Among other points of discussion, Hadjimanolis questioned Dominguez about the IMO’s vision, outcomes of MEPC 80 and adoption of the IMO’s Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, ship recycling, shipping’s image, and gender equality. Dominguez stressed how crucial it was to increase the presence of women in the industry, through encouraging female participation in maritime studies, and continuing to campaign for gender equality at IMO level and beyond. “This includes actively working to increase the number of women in senior positions at the IMO,” he said.

Since being established in 1989, Maritime Cyprus 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.’