First zero-emissions vessel “EVPLOIA APHRODITE” officially named

The naming ceremony of the first zero-emissions vessel “EVPLOIA APHRODITE” of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute has taken plaxe at Larnaca Marina.

Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis was the honourary 'godmother' of EVPLOIA APHRODITE and the naming ceremony was done by a libation of Commandaria wine, an ancient sweet wine of Cyprus. The Deputy Minister said she was happy to "baptize" the vessel, which is equipped with photovoltaic panels to cover part of its energy needs.

The vessel was designed and built in Cyprus proving that domestic know-how keeps up with global research and market trends, she stressed.

The Deputy Minister added that the consortium consists of CMMI, a company specializing in signal processing, SignalGeneriX, and a shipbuilding office, FP Marine.

"Supporting scientific research for the protection of the oceans is one of the main priorities of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, for a sustainable blue economy," she noted.

The vessel will function as a research platform for CMMI and the national and international ecosystems, taking advantage of its environmentally friendly and intelligent features, she concluded.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, said that this vessel marks the beginning of a new, more sustainable era for Cyprus shipping and shows the way for a more environmentally friendly future.

"The zero-emission technologies developed through the A-ZEST programme are an important initiative to create innovative solutions and represent an important perspective for the green transition," she said.

Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology, Demetris Skourides said that the purpose of today's event fills us with optimism about what Cyprus can achieve, utilizing research, technology and innovation in the vital sector of Shipping.

CEO of CMMI Zacharias Siokouros said that for a sustainable and competitive future we need research that  that addresses challenges and answers questions.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by foreign Ambassadors, Consuls, partners and associates of the Institute.

(Source: CNA)