**Cyprus Among EU’s Most Sea-Dependent Economies**
Cyprus continues to be one of the European Union's economies most reliant on maritime transport, with significant figures highlighting the extent of this dependence. In 2024, a remarkable 98.6% of the island's imports and 97.2% of its exports, measured by weight, were transported by sea. This trend underscores the critical role that shipping plays in trade for Cyprus and reflects broader patterns observed across the EU.
The reliance on maritime transport is further illustrated by freight activity in Cyprus. In 2024, 96.3% of all freight transport on the island was conducted via maritime routes, measured in tonne-kilometres. This figure places Cyprus third in the EU, trailing only Portugal and Greece in terms of the share of freight transported by sea.
The significance of maritime transport is not limited to Cyprus alone. Recent data from Eurostat indicates that in 2025, shipping remained the predominant mode for the EU's international trade in goods. The bloc imported approximately 1.1 billion tonnes of goods from non-EU countries via maritime routes, with a total value of €1,270 billion. Exports transported by sea amounted to 0.5 billion tonnes, valued at €1,069 billion. By weight, maritime transport accounted for 73.3% of all EU imports and 72.6% of exports. However, in terms of value, these figures were lower, with maritime transport representing 50.2% of imports and 40.4% of exports. This discrepancy highlights the higher value of goods typically moved by air and road transport.
Air transport, while accounting for a mere 0.3% of imports and 2.9% of exports by weight, constituted a significant share of the value, representing 20.7% of import value and 29.1% of export value. Road transport also played a role, making up 6% of imports and 17.4% of exports by weight, compared to 19.5% and 24.9% respectively by value. Rail transport, while less prominent, accounted for 2.6% of imports and 2.9% of exports by volume, with a corresponding value share of 1.2% and 1.3%.
Cyprus' heavy reliance on maritime transport can be attributed to its geographical characteristics as an island nation and the substantial scale of its shipping sector. The Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus reports that the national fleet ranks as the 11th largest globally and the third largest within Europe. Additionally, Cyprus is recognized as Europe's largest third-party ship management center, further solidifying its position in the maritime industry.
The Eurostat data was released in conjunction with World Maritime Day, celebrated on September 24, which this year focuses on the theme "From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence." This theme emphasizes the importance of effective policies in enhancing the maritime sector's performance and sustainability.
As Cyprus continues to navigate its economic landscape, the reliance on sea transport remains a defining characteristic, shaping trade dynamics and influencing policy decisions. The island's strategic position in the Mediterranean and its robust shipping industry are likely to play pivotal roles in its economic future, as maritime transport continues to dominate both local and international trade.