Deputy Minister: Cyprus shipping faces second Turkish embargo

Ships flying the Cyprus flag are now having to deal with a second Turkish embargo, after being prevented from transporting grain or other products to and from Ukraine under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, according to Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis.

In statements after meeting with the House Committee on Transport, she said that following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there was an agreement between Turkey, Ukraine and Russia with the United Nations to ensure the passage of grain from Ukraine.

"Turkey is the country that controls the ships that pass through the Black Sea and thus prevents any ship that carries the Cypriot flag or any ship managed in Cyprus from being part of this process. That's why I have called it a second embargo," she explained.

It is noted that since 1987, Turkey has prohibited the docking of ships under the Cypriot flag in its ports.

The Deputy Minister said that the ban does not only apply to ships flying the Cypriot flag but also extends to ships managed by Cyprus.

This is also the reason why Cyprus will not support the Turkish candidacy for the position of Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), she said. Hadjimanolis said that Cyprus intends to be re-elected in the IMO Council for the period 2024 to 2025. And reiterated the government’s assurances that Cyprus will not be affected in any way if the Turkish candidate is eventually elected.

The Deputy Minister had earlier informed MPs that due to the latest international developments and sanctions, unfortunately the Cypriot fleet has decreased – to 1,663 with a capacity of 22 million tons, from 1,752 with a capacity of 25 million back July 2021.

Replying to questions by MPs, she noted that both Malta and Italy have reported a drop in their registers, adding that there is no information to show that ships are leaving the Cypriot register to register in another European country.

She also cited data demonstrating the upward trend in the registration of shipping companies, which increased from 273 in 2021 to 302 in 2022.

Regarding the Deputy Ministry's revenue, she said that it increased to €17.3m from €16.4m in 2021, with tonnage tax making up 50% of total revenue.

As for the deputy ministry’s priorities, Hadjimanolis said the aim was to strengthen the one-stop shipping centre framework, which has already started being implemented.

Regarding the maritime connection between Cyprus and Greece, which was implemented last year after 21 years, she said that in 2023 there will be 22 routes, 14 from Limassol and 8 from Larnaka.

(Source: CNA)