Address by the Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis Reception for the Promotion of the Cyprus Ship Registry
Palace Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
15 October 2026
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to Cyprus’ reception and to have the opportunity to meet representatives of Japan’s distinguished maritime community, as well as many valued partners from the wider business community.
Allow me first to express my sincere appreciation for your presence here this evening. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the President of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, Mr. Polys Hadjioannou, for his invaluable support and continued dedication to the promotion of Cyprus Shipping and the Cyprus Flag internationally.
The close cooperation between the Shipping Deputy Ministry and the wider shipping community is one of the foundations of the strength and continued development of the Cyprus Ship Registry.
Cyprus and Japan are both island nations whose history, prosperity and outlook have been shaped by the sea. Shipping is not merely an economic activity for our countries. It is a strategic sector that supports global trade, connects markets and people across continents, and contributes significantly to our economies and international partnerships.
For decades, Cyprus has developed a strong presence in international shipping and has established one of the world’s significant ship registries.
But for us, the strength of a registry is not measured by size alone. Quality, reliability, safety and service are at the heart of the Cyprus flag.
The Cyprus flag is recognised internationally for its strong safety performance and regulatory framework, as reflected, among other things, in its position on the White Lists of the Paris and Tokyo MoUs.
These achievements are important because, ultimately, choosing a flag is about trust.
Shipowners and operators need a flag that provides regulatory certainty, efficient administration, high standards of safety and compliance, and a responsive partner that understands the operational realities of international shipping.
This is precisely the approach we are pursuing in Cyprus.
In recent years, we have placed particular emphasis on strengthening the competitiveness of our Registry and on ensuring that our services respond effectively to the evolving needs of shipowners and operators.
These efforts are producing tangible results. Since September 2023, the Cyprus Ship Registry has grown by 27%, reaching its highest level in the last twenty-five years. This growth is an important indication of the confidence placed in the Cyprus flag by the international shipping community.
But growth is not an end in itself.
Our objective is to ensure that every company choosing the Cyprus flag receives a high-quality service and operates within a stable, transparent and predictable maritime environment.
This means continuing to listen to the industry, simplifying procedures, improving communication and ensuring that the Shipping Deputy Ministry remains accessible and responsive to the companies and professionals we serve.
Digital transformation is an important part of this effort.
For our clients around the world, digitalisation means more than technology. It means greater accessibility, faster processes, improved transparency and a better overall experience when interacting with the Cyprus maritime administration.
At the same time, we recognise that the future competitiveness of shipping will depend not only on efficiency, but also on our ability to respond to the profound transformation taking place across our industry.
The green transition, decarbonisation, digitalisation, cybersecurity and rapidly evolving regulatory requirements are reshaping the operating environment for shipowners and maritime administrations alike.
Cyprus is committed to being part of this transformation.
We believe that competitiveness and sustainability should not be viewed as competing objectives.
Our position within the European Union, our active participation in the International Maritime Organization and our geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa provide Cyprus with a strong platform from which to contribute to this process.
We remain committed to promoting practical, balanced and globally applicable maritime solutions.