(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Two years after the establishment of the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) in March 2018, Mr Vasilis Demetriades joins the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry as a seasoned maritime policy expert, known for his extensive work within the shipping industry and contributions to the European Union (EU).
Mr Demetriades is the National Expert on maritime policy issues at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport.
Naturally the Cyprus Flag Administration will be under his responsibility.
Since its inception, the Cyprus flag has seen significant growth, and currently ranks as the eleventh largest merchant fleet worldwide and the third-largest fleet in the European Union. Cyprus now flags more than 1,100 oceangoing vessels with a total gross tonnage exceeding 24 million. Shipping revenues represent 7% of Cyprus’ GDP and the sector employs approximately 3% of the country’s gainfully employed population. Mr Demetriades is committed to building on these strong foundations.
Commenting on his appointment, Vassilios Demetriades, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister, said: “I am honored to accept the position as Shipping Deputy Minister and to become part of this passionate, intellectual and dynamic ministry. Our ultimate goal is to continue growing Cyprus shipping and further develop our maritime cluster and flag. This will be achieved through the promotion of the Cyprus flag, continuous updating, simplification and modernization of the relevant legislative framework to address the current and future challenges, quality improvements to the services we provide, and strengthening the collaboration with our stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
“The shipping industry faces many challenges on a European and global level. Effective co-operation and collaboration between regulators and the industry lies at the heart of ensuring we are building a better, more sustainable future for shipping. I hope that my experience from previous roles in working with the EU towards enhancing the competitiveness of the sector and in promoting the benefits of a digital and environmentally sustainable future will support Cyprus’ continuing role in shaping progress.”
For the past five years, Mr Demetriades worked as a policy officer in the Directorate General of Mobility and Transport of the European Commission, co-ordinating the EU maritime transport strategy and its revision as well as the EU’s external maritime transport relations. Prior to this, he was Head of the EU Affairs Unit at Cyprus' Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, which was in charge of shipping and integrated maritime policy at the time, and also served in various other positions for the Cyprus Public Administration.
The new Shipping Minister has served in the as Head of EU Affairs Unit in the Cyprus Ministry of Communications and works and as Maritime affairs counselor at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU in Brussels.
It is important to note that Mr. Demetriades has worked very constructively and closely with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) in providing valuable assistance on various milestones for Cyprus Shipping, such as the approval of the Cyprus Shipping Taxation Framework by the European Commission.
We wish him all the best for his new endeavor.
