Marlow Navigation recently participated in the Maritime Cyprus Conference 2025, held in Limassol, between 6 and 8 October.

Established since 1989, the Maritime Cyprus Conference is a biennial event organised by the Shipping Deputy Ministry in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners; today having grown into one of the world’s most significant shipping conferences.

Marlow’s Joint Managing Director, and newly elected president of CSC, Andreas Neophytou delivered the address at the opening reception. Neophytou welcomed attendees and highlighted the vital role of Cyprus’ shipping industry for the economy and global trade.

“Cyprus’ shipping sector remains a cornerstone of the national economy,” he said. “Despite international challenges, Cyprus’ shipping sector continues to grow, maintaining a strong commercial fleet and a reputation for excellence in ship ownership, ship and crew management, and maritime services”.

According to Neophytou, the sector continues to underpin the national economy, supporting international trade, enhancing many other areas of economic activity, and ensuring the steady flow of essential goods worldwide.

“Cyprus has now established itself as a reliable international shipping hub, reflected in the more than 200 ship owning, management, and maritime companies based in the country, servicing over 2,800 vessels with around 80,000 seafarers at sea at any given time.”

“The prestige and international recognition enjoyed by the Maritime Cyprus conference are tangible proof of this trust and success. The conference continues to highlight Cyprus’ strategic importance on the global maritime,” added Neophytou.

This year’s Maritime Cyprus Conference brought together more than 800 participants, including shipowners, shipping executives, maritime innovators, regulators and representatives from leading international organisations, including high-calibre speakers.

Among those attending were Cyprus’ President, ministers, members of parliament, diplomats, senior government officials, EU commissioners, representatives of professional organisations, and top executives from the Cypriot and global shipping industry.

The main theme of this year’s Conference was “Unlocking the Future …of Shipping”, focusing on the key opportunities and challenges that will shape the future of global shipping. A number of panel discussions in this year’s programme addressed the main challenges shipping faces today, including:

• Navigating Disruption: Steering the Shipping Industry Through Global Turbulences
• Navigating Changes: Shipowners’ Insights on Industry Evolution
• P&I Market: Latest Developments and Update about the Renewal Season 2026
• The New Era of Shipowners…Unlocking the Future
• The Charterers’ Outlook: Navigating Markets, Risks, and Opportunities
• From Emissions to Adaptation: Is the Shipping Industry Ready for Climate Resilience?
• Safeguarding Shipowners in a rapidly changing environment
• Seas of Change:  Technology’s Impact on Shipping and Seafarers
• The Crystal Ball of Shipping: Trends, Risks and Opportunities Ahead, and
• Funding Strategies for the Next Era of Shipping

Notable speakers during the conference included Cyprus’ President, Nikos Christodoulides; Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Marina Hadjimanolis; Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez; Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, Thomas A. Kazakos; EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas; and European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, among many other esteem speakers.

“Our endeavour is for Cyprus to maintain and enhance its role as an advanced, proactive, competitive maritime nation with a positive contribution both in Europe and internationally,” says the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus.