On 1 March, when Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades introduced his new cabinet, among them was Natasa Pilides, who heads up the newly created post of the Deputy Minister of Shipping.
Cyprus believes there is significant potential to increase the contribution of the shipping sector to the Cyprus economy beyond its current annual 7% of GDP, and this will rely on the support of a dedicated deputy minister who is wholly devoted to shipping related issues.
Pilides has the right pedigree having previously served as dg of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency."
The Cyprus government has placed and maintains shipping among its main concerns and priorities. A testimony of the government’s commitment and support to the shipping industry is the creation of a self-standing Deputy Ministry of Shipping as of March," said Marios Demetriades, Communication, Transport and Works Minister and to now responsible for shipping.
Demetriades, who is standing down from the government, says the “ultimate aim is the strengthening of Cyprus shipping and its consolidation as a modern global shipping service centre”.
Pilides, notes Cyprus is strategically positioned to take advantage of global developments and expand its maritime cluster attracting participants from all industry facets. “Creation of a Deputy Ministry for Shipping is a very significant development for Cyprus as it ensures dedicated, one-stop-shop support to the Cyprus maritime cluster, one of the main pillars of the Cyprus economy," said Pilides.
She has pledged to do her utmost to "ensure an integrated strategy is systematically and methodically applied with a view to developing the cluster, as well as enhancing and promoting our competitive advantages". Ioannis Efstratiou, acting director, Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping, said: “After 40 years of successful progress, the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS) will be transformed into the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, which will take Cyprus shipping forward into a new era. Unanimously approved by all the political parties, the creation of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping highlights our ongoing commitment and support to the shipping industry, and is a big step towards the upgrading and strengthening of our shipping administration.”
Cyprus now ranks as the 11th largest merchant fleet worldwide and the third largest in the European Union. It flags over 1,000 oceangoing vessels of a total gross tonnage exceeding 23.9m dwt. More than 3,500 vessels are currently managed from Cyprus with a total net tonnage of around 50m dwt.
Pilides said: “We strongly believe that the transformation of the Department of Merchant Shipping to a Deputy Ministry of Shipping will increase the functionality, effectiveness, and flexibility of our public shipping administration, with a direct and immediate effect in the further development and expansion of both our flag and our maritime cluster.”
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