Visit of the Deputy Minister of Shipping of Cyprus at HELMEPA: Strengthening Cooperation
The visit of the Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus, Marina Hadjimanolis, to HELMEPA’s offices on September 19th, 2024, underscores and further strengthens the long-standing cooperation between Greece and Cyprus on ocean protection and sustainability issues in the critical shipping sector.
HELMEPA’s Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, George Karageorgiou, welcomed the Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus, Marina Hadjimanolis, along with members of the Board of Directors and the HELMEPA Secretariat. The meeting took place within the context of the long-standing cooperation with the Cyprus Maritime Authority, which has been certifying HELMEPA’s training programs since 2013, and recently approved three new STCW safety programs, available exclusively through e-learning in collaboration with HELMEPA’s supporting member SQLearn. This partnership strengthens the relationship with the maritime community of Cyprus, which began in 1993 with the establishment of CYMEPA, the first sister association outside Greece. During the meeting, special recognition was given to the pioneers who contributed to the founding of a similar organization to HELMEPA in Cyprus.
The Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus was informed about HELMEPA’s multidimensional efforts to empower the human element in shipping through environmental awareness, strengthening the safety culture, and promoting the UN and IMO sustainable development goals. Special reference was made to the METAVASEA project, which focuses on maritime decarbonization and is coordinated by HELMEPA with the support of Lloyd’s Register Foundation and the participation of 65 stakeholders from Greece, Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean, with active involvement from Cypriot stakeholders. Surveys are currently underway to assess the readiness of companies and identify the reskilling needs of seafarers and port workers, particularly in areas like alternative fuels.
The Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus and her colleagues visited the HELMEPA Bridge Simulator (see picture above), where they engaged in discussions with Merchant Marine Officers participating in a seminar.
In the end, the Shipping Deputy Minister announced that Cyprus has been selected by the European Commission to host the European Maritime Day in 2026, where Europe’s maritime community will gather to network and discuss the sustainable blue economy. HELMEPA congratulated the Deputy Minister and offered all of its educational programs in support of the event.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by her colleagues Mr. Adonis Pavlidis, Ship Inspector, Mr. Christos Karitzis, Ship Inspector, and Mrs. Androulla Adamou, Maritime Education Coordinator. On behalf of HELMEPA, the following attended: Vice Chairperson George Karageorgiou, Secretary General Irene Daifas, Board Members Michalis Dalacouras, Theodosis Stamatellos, and Maria Hajioannou, Legal Advisor Nikos Gerassimou, Director General Olga Stavropoulou, Head of Strategy and Development Constantinos Triantafillou, Maritime Consultant and Metavasea Project Manager George Markezinis, Chairman of the Training Committee Capt. Nikos Polymeris, Honorary Chairman of the Training Committee Capt. John Drakogiannopoulos, and CEO of SQLearn Spyros Goumas.
Take part in the METAVASEA survey and contribute to preparing for maritime decarbonization:
Seafarers, Port Managers, Shipping Companies, Society, Service Providers and Suppliers
