The forum, held with the participation of business delegations from both countries’ shipping clusters, was opened by Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis, and Finland’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Minna Kivimaki. As part of the official programme, the Cypriot delegation also toured the offshore patrol vessel Turva, hosted by the Finnish Border Guard. On the sidelines of the event, Hadjimanolis and Kivimaki held a bilateral meeting to review progress in maritime cooperation, continuing the dialogue first launched in March at the European Shipping Summit with Finland’s Transport Minister Lulu Ranne.

The discussions identified key areas for closer collaboration, particularly in automated and digital maritime solutions, ship energy systems, cyber security, new maritime fuels, maritime education, as well as gender equality and employment in the shipping sector. According to the Shipping Deputy Ministry, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation across these fields, mapping out the next steps in the bilateral dialogue with a focus on mutual benefit and sustainable growth in the maritime industry. “International shipping continues to face challenges, while at the same time there is a compelling need to safeguard the competitiveness of the European maritime industry,” Hadjimanolis said after the meeting. She added that “Cyprus and Finland, both members of the EU with long maritime history and strong maritime clusters, have a critical role to play towards the sustainable growth of international shipping.”

“I am very pleased,” she said, “that Cyprus and Finland share the same values and objectives regarding a safe, secure and environmentally friendly shipping on an international level, ensuring at the same time a level playing field for all.” She also noted that “We had a very fruitful bilateral meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland, Minna Kivimaki, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ahead of the working visit of the President of Cyprus,  Nikos Christodoulides, in Finland.” “During the meeting,” she said, “we discussed about the continuous challenges international shipping faces and further strengthening Cyprus’s and Finland’s strong relationships in the maritime sector.” “On the sidelines of the visit I had the pleasure to address the Shipping Business Forum on Cyprus–Finland Economic Cooperation, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland,” she added. “The forum achieved positive outcomes and it’s an important step towards deepening our bilateral maritime ties.”

She also mentioned her visit to Polaris, Finland’s cutting-edge icebreaking vessel, operated by ARCTIA Shipping, and extended “sincere appreciation to the Ambassador of Cyprus in Finland, Demetris Samuel, to the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and to all participating companies from Cyprus and Finland.”

Kivimaki also welcomed the joint vision, saying that “We need stronger European shipping in the world, and a competitive European maritime cluster.” “As maritime nations,” she said, “Cyprus and Finland are natural champions and allies in this field.” Kivimaki concluded that Finland is “happy that as one of the largest flag states in the world, Cyprus understands Finnish concerns about safe and secure shipping also in the harsh ice conditions of the northern Baltic Sea.”

Source: Cyprus Mail