Marina Hadjimanolis, the Deputy Minister for Shipping, recently visited New York from April 3 to 5 to promote Cypriot shipping. Her trip included participation in the 3rd Capital Link Cyprus Business Forum on April 4.
This event, organized in collaboration with the Cyprus Shipowners’ Association and supported by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping and Invest Cyprus, provided a platform for Hadjimanolis to highlight the advantages of the Cyprus ship registry and the broader shipping sector. During her address, Hadjimanolis outlined various investment opportunities for shipping companies looking to establish operations in Cyprus.
She emphasized the competitiveness of the Cypriot tonnage tax system, which has contributed to an 18 percent increase in the Cyprus registry and a 15 percent rise in companies under this tax regime over the past sixteen months. The substantial growth of the shipping sector reflects the effectiveness of initiatives undertaken by the Deputy Ministry in recent years.
The forum featured the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, as the main speaker. While in New York, Hadjimanolis met with shipowners from U.S.-based firms as well as executives from companies based in Asia and Europe.
These discussions centered around the potential for registering fleet vessels under the Cyprus flag and integrating operations within the tonnage tax system, with companies expressing a keen interest in possible collaborations. Additionally, Hadjimanolis participated in a special event at the New York Stock Exchange on April 4, organized in partnership with Safe Bulkers Inc., a shipping company listed on the exchange.
The event served as a significant moment for Cyprus, with President Christodoulides ringing the NYSE closing bell, showcasing Cyprus on the international stage.