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CSC endorses industry call for free movement of crews to keep trade moving

LoveCyprus — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 06:45:34 +0000

The shipping industry urges G20 leaders and governments to facilitate free movement of crews to keep trade moving, issuing a set of recommendations to this end.

In a relevant announcement, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), says that it fully supports the recommendations and stands ready to continue the ongoing discussions with the Shipping Deputy Ministry, the Cyprus Government and local stakeholders, in order to identify, the soonest possible, viable solutions on crew changes issues and to safeguard access to healthcare on shore, to the unseen heroes of global trade, our seafarers.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), issued a new message to G20 leaders, stating that “global trade is dependent on the world’s 2 million seafarers and marine personnel who operate the world’s merchant ships.”

“Given the expected continuation of travel and flight restrictions, there is a critical need for Governments to address the serious problem of facilitating ships’ crew changes. Without co-ordinated global action, the efficient flow of imports and exports carried by sea will be jeopardised, with negative impacts on the resilience of national economies throughout the COVID-19 crisis” it is added.

Some of the recommendations to G20 Leaders and Governments say that professional seafarers and marine personnel, regardless of nationality, should be designated as “key workers” providing an essential service and should be granted appropriate exemptions from national travel or movement restrictions, to enable them to join and leave ships.

Moreover, they call on all Governments to identify ports in their countries, and appropriate airports nearby, from where crew changes can safely be resumed as soon as possible.

Governments, in the event of medical emergencies, should also provide visiting seafarers with access to emergency medical treatment ashore and, if necessary, facilitate emergency repatriation as required by the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, it is added.

A final recommendation says that a special G20 taskforce on the issue of ships’ crew changes should be established as an effective response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: CNA

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Shipping Deputy Ministry extends payment of tonnage tax and registry maintenance fee

LoveCyprus — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 06:55:35 +0000

The Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM), in an effort to support shipping companies and owners of Cyprus ships and to enable them to address the difficulties encountered due to the wide spread of the coronavirus outbreak, has decided to extend the date of payment of the Cyprus Registry Maintenance Annual Fee and the tonnage tax of Cyprus ships.

According to a press release issued by the SDM, a relevant Notification will be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, informing all interested parties that the deadline for payment of the Tonnage Tax and the Cyprus Registry Maintenance Annual Fee for the tax year 2020, normally due by 31st March 2020, will be extended to 31st May 2020.

The SDM also notes that for the smooth operation of the SDM and the effective provision of quality services to its clients and collaborators, the SDM has put in place special arrangements to ensure protection of public health and limit the spread of the virus.

For this reason, the public is advised to submit electronically all requests and enquiries according to the relevant circular: DMS.gov,cy

Source: CNA

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Deputy Shipping Minister: Cyprus – Greece ferry connection to be approved by the end of March

LoveCyprus — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 06:22:41 +0000

Cyprus Deputy Shipping Minister, Natasa Pilides, said on Wednesday that she expected a ferry connection between Cyprus and Greece to be approved by the Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission by the end of March. She added that soon after the EU approval the Ministry would be ready to proceed with an open tender.

Speaking during a press conference where the annual report for 2019 of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping was presented, Pilides said that she had contacts with EU officials two weeks ago, who as she said, “understand, that the issue of the Cyprus-Greece ferry connection is a high priority for us”.

In addition, Pilides said that there’s interest for the ferry connection from several companies from Cyprus, Greece, Germany and Spain.

Concerning the impact on shipping industry from the spread of the coronavirus, the Deputy Minister said that there will certainly be impacts on international trade and consequently on shipping. Regarding Cyprus`s actions on the issue, Pilides said that the country has issued a circular advising companies on the safe approach of ports in high risk areas, to safeguard the health of seafarers, crews and passengers.

Asked on the role of her Ministry on immigration, she referred on the operation of a 24-hour monitoring center and said that there are inspectors from the Deputy Ministry who carry out the monitoring locally, while there’s also monitoring on international level through collaborations and international systems.

Cyprus shipping registry

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On the development of Cyprus’ shipping registry, Pilides stressed that the efforts aim to ensure competitiveness, upgrade services, help the transition to the digital age, promote Blue Growth as well as improving safety levels and protecting the environment.

Regarding the attraction of companies, the Deputy Minister of Shipping said that about 120 companies are under Cyprus tax system and noted that the companies that own ships show a “steady and significant increase” with over 120 shipowners operating in Cyprus, while around 50 companies are shipmanagers, thus Cyprus ranks first in the EU in terms of this activity.

She also pointed out that Cyprus has the ability to attract companies from many parts of the world and not just the country’s traditional markets.

The Deputy Minister underlined the importance of the fact that the companies located in Cyprus are truly established, increasing their know-how and staff and underlined that Cyprus should increase training in maritime jobs.

She also referred to measures to improve the competitiveness of the Cyprus shipping registry by revising its pricing policy and simplifying ship registration procedures.

At the same time, she said that strengthening co-operation with other states is a key priority of the Deputy Ministry, aiming to strengthen Cyprus`s role in the European and international decision-making process.

The Deputy Minister also underlined the re-election of Cyprus to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the years 2020-2021, with 140 votes.

Source: CNA

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Cyprus participates in the 3rd European Shipping Week

LoveCyprus — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 10:40:55 +0000

The Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) participated at the 3rd European Shipping Week, organised every two years by the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and other European shipping stakeholders.

The event is considered as one of the most important maritime events in Europe, which brings together shipowners, shipping professionals and policy makers of the European and International Shipping to discuss current shipping matters and stresses the importance for both the industry and the policy makers to navigate on the same course.

According to a press release issued by the CSC, the Chamber was represented by its President, Philippos Philis who delivered a presentation during the event entitled “Enhancing the employment of Europeans at sea and in the onshore maritime clusters”, which focussed on the European maritime growth plan for sustainable maritime jobs, growth and competitiveness aiming to maintain Europe as a world-class maritime cluster.

Moreover, Philis represented Cyprus Shipping at a roundtable discussion organised by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), within the framework of the EU Shipping Week, entitled “Catalysing the 4th Propulsion Revolution”.

Cyprus also had a strong presence in the conference deliberations, through the participation its Shipping Deputy Minister, Natasa Pilides and Despina Panagiotou Theodosiou, Member of the Board of Directors of the Shipping Chamber and President of the Women International Shipping & Trade Association – WISTA, in other relevant panel discussions, recognising Cyprus` prominent position in European Shipping affairs.

Source: CNA

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