Maritime Cyprus 2025 Tiny Mic live sessions / inspirations from the makers and shakers of the international shipping industry’s sectors all over Planet Ocean:
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), discusses his approach to leadership and maintaining certainty in uncertain times. He emphasizes the importance of finding solutions and staying positive, which he believes aids in his negotiation skills and overall effectiveness. Dominguez expresses a desire for more questions about the human aspect of shipping rather than just technical or financial issues. He encourages openness and humility, aiming to create an environment where people feel comfortable asking anything, which he believes fosters calmness and effective collaboration.
Alexandros Josephides, Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber discussed his 33-year career in the industry, with the last 30 years at the chamber. He highlighted the success of recent events, the encouraging speeches about Europe’s global ambitions and expressed a desire to promote Cyprus as a maritime center and to discuss business development opportunities in Cyprus with the international community.
Theodosis Stamatellos, Director, from the Global Technical Client Team at Lloyd’s Register emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs while adhering to safety and international regulations in fleet operations. He highlights the challenge of clients not clearly articulating their real issues, which hinders effective problem-solving. Theodosis values collaboration, particularly in the maritime community of Cyprus, and stresses the importance of listening beyond technical aspects to address human factors, such as decarbonization and AI, to achieve better client experiences.
Karen Martin, Global Brand Ambassador at ShipMoney, discusses her desire for deeper, more authentic connections in her industry, which she describes as human-centric. She expresses a wish for people to inquire more about her personal side, as she feels that despite long-term relationships, her true self is often misunderstood. Karen emphasizes the importance of genuine interactions and transparency in her professional life.
Lefki Panayiotidou, Events and Members Administrator, and Margarita Alexandrou, Cypress International Businesses Association At the second night of the Maritime Cyprus conference, Lefki Panayiotidou,Events and Members Administrator at the Cyprus Shipping Chamber , discussed the challenges of organizing events, emphasizing the importance of attention to detail and appreciation for the hard work involved. Margarita Alexandrou from the Cyprus International Businesses Association highlighted the difficulty of connecting international businesses and the necessity of balancing office work with event coordination. Both speakers agreed on the importance of being present and appreciating the moment, advocating for a less stressed, more mindful approach to work and events. The shipping community in Cyprus was noted for its strong connections and the value of conferences in fostering these relationships.
Spyridon Zolotas, Vice Present Efthymios Stasinos, Commercial Director, and Nicos Attas, Cyprus Marine Manager of RINA. Spyridon Zolotas, Vice President for Rena South Europe, emphasized the importance of innovation in shipping, particularly in efficiency and safety. He hinted at the opening of a new innovation lab to advance these goals. Efthymios Stasinos, Commercial Director, expressed confidence that AI and digitalization would enhance efficiency without leading to job loss but would help in accomplishing tasks more effectively, though it would necessitate learning new skills. The consensus was that AI would free up time for more creative pursuits, ultimately benefiting the workforce.
George Tsavliris, Tsavliris Salvage Group, discusses the hectic but positive experience at the Cyprus maritime event, emphasizing the professional and in-depth analysis of critical issues, particularly the impact of geopolitics on shipping. He highlights the shipping industry’s success in reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency, noting that a modern 60,000-ton ship now burns 14 tons compared to 30 tons for a 10,000-ton ship 40 years ago. George criticizes the hypocrisy in the market regarding alternative fuels and argues that the responsibility for fuel improvements should lie with engine manufacturers, shipbuilders, and fuel providers, not shippers.
John Cotzias, Founder of Xclusiv Shipbrokers and President of the Hellenic Shipbrokers Association,
shared insights from discussions in Cyprus, emphasizing the practicality and necessity of addressing new technologies and fuels in the maritime industry. He highlighted concerns about the viability and safety of new fuels, which are not yet available and could pose risks to the 1.8 million seafarers worldwide, and advocated for proven technologies to improve existing systems rather than adopting unproven and potentially hazardous innovations, citing serious Greek and Cypriot shipowners as proponents of this approach.
Carl King, Founder of Seafarer Social and Alexander Held, Head of Commercial at Turtle Maritime Matchmaking; Carl King, founder of Seafarer Social, emphasized the lack of consideration and presence for seafarers, highlighting that despite discussions about their welfare, seafarers are often absent from such conversations. Alex Held from Turtle Maritime Matchmaking discussed ongoing illegal recruitment fees for seafarers, particularly in the Philippines, India, and Eastern Europe, and efforts to raise awareness and combat the issue through initiatives like the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network. Carl also announced an upcoming conference in Manila on November 10th, focused on providing value to seafarers, including financial advice and addressing illegal recruitment fees, with a unique ratio of 200 seafarers to 20-30 corporates.
Peter Schellenberger, Director and Founder, Novamaxis and Strategic Partner and Investor at Investigate and Franck Fallet, Commercial and Business Development Director at Oserv Catering.
Franck Fallet, Commercial and Business Development Director at Oserv Catering, who serves over 500 vessels globally, and Peter Schellenberger, Director and Founder of Novamaxis as well as Strategic Partner and Investor at Investigate, reflect on their two-decade-long relationship in the tight-knit shipping industry. At the Cyprus Maritime event, which they praised as the world’s second-largest ship management hub after Singapore, both highlighted the unique intimacy and effectiveness of networking opportunities it provides. While Peter called attention to the crucial challenge of engaging the 70% of the market not yet aligned with industry best practices, Franck emphasized the transformative impact of enhancing seafarer well-being—especially through food quality and fitness programs—on both crew morale and operational efficiency.
Emmanolia Kolias, Channel Director at Mintra, a human capital management services company, emphasized the importance of keeping seafarers up-to-date with industry changes and technology. She highlighted the need for collaboration with partners to support evolving industry needs. Kolias suggested that understanding seafarers’ mindsets and fostering relationships from their cadet education, including offering scholarships and maintaining open communication, are crucial for effective human capital management. She believes that direct engagement with seafarers is essential for staying informed about their daily experiences and ensuring services are tailored to their needs.
We conclude with Georgia Demetriou, Legal Director (Crew Management & Marine Services) at OSM Thome as well as WISTA Cyprus Secretary-general, married and a mother of two. This is what she said:
We look forward to your comments.
