(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The Cyprus Shipping Chamber is the trade association of the Shipping Industry in Cyprus. Having witnessed considerable growth since its establishment in January 1989, with originally seventeen Founding Members, the Chamber today comprises of 199 shipowning, shipmanagement and shipping related companies.
The main purpose of the Chamber is to promote the interests of Cyprus Shipping and further the reputation of the Cyprus Flag, whilst promoting and protecting the interests of its Members both nationally and internationally.
The year 2025 saw Cyprus Shipping further consolidating its reputation as a competitive international maritime hub. Operating successfully without direct state investment, the sector upholds global recognition for the Cyprus flag, esteemed for its reliability and prestige. The Cyprus Shipping Industry has continued to serve as a cornerstone of the national economy, driving economic activity, supporting society and enabling other industries by transporting nearly all essential goods to the country. In 2025, the sector maintained its robust performance, contributing approximately 7% to Cyprus’ GDP, equivalent to around 1.9 billion euros, and reinforcing its role as one of the most dynamic and resilient business sectors in the country.
Cyprus continues to sustain the fifth largest merchant fleet in Europe and the fourteenth globally, controlling over 4% of the global fleet and undertaking more than 20% of worldwide third-party ship management activity through Cyprus-based companies.
Despite global uncertainties, the Cyprus Shipping Industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2025. Geopolitical instability, including regional tensions and targeted attacks on merchant ships, continued to pose serious security challenges, affecting innocent seafarers and demanding heightened vigilance in key shipping lanes. At the same time, the IMO’s decarbonisation framework was postponed, giving the industry additional time to reach consensus and adopt practical, realistic measures toward emissions reduction. Cyprus Shipping also continued advancing digitalisation and sustainability initiatives, ensuring that environmental compliance and operational efficiency remain priorities.
Key milestones in 2025 further underscore Cyprus’ strong position in global shipping. The Maritime Cyprus 2025 Conference, held in October, successfully focused on “Unlocking the Future of Shipping”, bringing the shipping elite to Cyprus and highlighting strategic opportunities and industry challenges. Cyprus’s ship management revenues increased to €978 million during the first half of 2025, corresponding to 5.5% of Cyprus’s semi-annual GDP as turnover. This level of revenue exceeded the €950 million threshold and is considerably higher than the average revenues observed during 2019–2021, demonstrating the sector’s continued dynamism.
The Cyprus ship registry also experienced strong growth, while the industry worked to maintain competitiveness amid evolving FDI screening rules, safeguarding Cyprus as a top-tier maritime investment hub. Cyprus’ international standing was reinforced with
re-election at the IMO in December 2025, strengthening its voice in global maritime governance.
The cruise sector was among the priorities in 2025, with the industry and the Shipping Ministry working to strengthen its development. Limassol emerged as a principal call in the Eastern Mediterranean, reflecting renewed confidence in maritime tourism and the island’s
strategic maritime infrastructure.
With Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, maintaining and building upon these achievements will require ongoing collaboration between the private and public sectors. The Cyprus Shipping Chamber, together with the expertise of its Member companies, continues to play a central role in shaping national shipping policy, ensuring that Cyprus Shipping remains adaptive, innovative and is safeguarded.
These developments reaffirm that Cyprus Shipping is not just a cornerstone of the national economy but a globally respected, highly competitive industry driving innovation and growth. Shipping is poised to accelerate its impact, expand its global influence, and solidify its
position as a leading international maritime hub.
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Source: Cyprus Shipping Chamber
