Cyprus and UK sign MoU on shipping matters

Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry for Shipping signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday with the Department of Transport of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, for cooperation in the field of shipping.

According to an official press release, the MoU was signed in Nicosia between Deputy Minister of Shipping Vassilios Demetriades and British High Commissioner in Cyprus Irfan Siddiq, who was representing the Minister responsible for shipping in the UK, Baroness Charlotte Vere of Norbiton.

Prior to signing the Memorandum, an online meeting was held between Demetriades and Baroness Charlotte Vere of Norbiton, during which issues of common interest, reflected in the Memorandum, were discussed.

The Deputy Ministry described the MoU as “an important development that was deemed necessary, especially after Brexit”, adding that Cyprus and the UK “are two important maritime nations with a vast wealth of expertise”.

Demetriades said the Memorandum lays a solid foundation for the further expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two states in all important aspects of shipping, but also, to work together within the framework of their participation in the International Maritime Organisation to deal with the most important challenges facing the sector.

The Memorandum provides, among other things, for the two countries to exchange best practices and for their maritime administrations to conduct workshops and training seminars, while it also aims to encourage cooperation between their maritime industries on maritime safety and protection, decarbonisation of shipping, protection of the maritime environment, further improving seafarers' working conditions, promoting research and innovation and the digital transformation of shipping, addressing cyber risks and implementing sanctions affecting the maritime transport sector.

(Source: CNA)