Faculty of Maritime Studies of the University of Kyrenia participated in “Maritime Cyprus 2015” Conference
Date Added: 23 September 2015, 11:36
Last Updated Date:06 December 2016, 11:38

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Organized by the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Department of Merchant Shipping in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Ship-owners, “Maritime Cyprus 2015” Conference was held in Limassol, Cyprus. Enver Yetkili, faculty member from the Faculty of Maritime Studies, participated in “Maritime Cyprus 2015” Conference on behalf of the University of Kyrenia.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press & Public Relations Office of the University of Kyrenia, “Maritime Cyprus” Conference is an international shipping conference that organized biennially since 1989. This year, “Maritime Cyprus” 2015, which is the 14th, was held at Evagoras Lanitis Center in Limassol on September 13-16 and Enver Yetkili participated in the conference on behalf of the University of Kyrenia. Shipping: “Game Change” was the main theme of the conference.

The Opening Reception of the conference was held at Amathus Beach Hotel, Limassol on Sunday September 13. On Monday September 14, the conference was officially opened by Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, the President of the Greek Part of Cyprus. After delivering conference opening address, H.E. Mr. Anastasiades invited H.E. Mr. Koji Sekimizu, Secretary General of International Maritime Organization, to the podium and presented him a plaque in memory of the conference. Then, Cyprus Maritime Award 2015 was presented to Mr. Eleftherios Montanios who was deemed worthy for the award for his contributions to the development of shipping.

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Enver Yetkili: The Greek part of Cyprus gains great revenue from shipping, TRNC, which is a marine country as well, should also increase its maritime revenues……

Attending to the conference on behalf of the University of Kyrenia, Enver Yetkili delivered information on the maritime industry in Cyprus. “Southern Cyprus has the only EU-approved “Open Registry” Regime with a very wide and legally endorsed Tonnage Tax System (TTS), which covers the three main “maritime transport” activities: ship owning, ship management (crew and technical management), and chartering. The Open Registry Regime allows the non Cypriot citizens to register ships under Cypriot flag. In addition to tax incentives and the country’s excellent geographical location, competitive ship registration fees and recognition of Competence Certificates from many countries provide Southern Cyprus with competitive advantages. With 2,200 Cypriot flagged vessels sailing in the world seas, Southern Cyprus has the 10th largest merchant fleet in the world. Southern Cyprus is home to some of the world’s most reputable names in shipping. More than 150 ship owning, ship management and shipping related companies maintain fully-fledged offices and conduct their international activities from Southern Cyprus. Today, Southern Cyprus is the largest third party ship management centre in Europe and the largest crew management centre in the world. The shipping industry in Southern Cyprus makes an important contribution to the country’s economy in terms of the number of its employees and the flow of income. The industry now contributes approximately €1 billion each year to the economy. As 2014 the revenue was almost 1,680,000,000 USD accounting to 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Approximately 4,500 shore-based personnel and 55,000 seafarers work at companies involved in shipping industry. The shipping revenue of Southern Cyprus corresponds to the half of the GDP of Northern Cyprus. In this respect, Northern Cyprus, which is a marine country as well, should attach more importance on maritime and take all necessary steps towards achieving greater gains from the industry. Southern Cyprus does not have a maritime university but TRNC has. University of Kyrenia, which is the first and only university in TRNC and nearby geography that focused on maritime education and cultivating qualified professionals for the maritime industry, has great potential and is ready to put any kind of contribution for the development of the industry in TRNC” said he.

“Maritime Cyprus 2015” Conference provided platform for over 700 attendees from 35 countries including representatives of international maritime organizations, ship-owners, ship managers, charterers, bankers, brokers, lawyers, accountants and delegates from other shipping organizations. Distinguished guests such as H.E. Mr. Koji Sekimizu, the President of International Maritime Organization, Admiral Paul Thomas, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, US Coast Guard, Mrs. Karin Orsel, Vice Chairperson of International Chamber of Shipping, and Mr. Thomas Rehder, the President of European Community Ship-owners’ Association addressed to the attendees at the conference.