**Cyprus and UK Agree on Next Steps for Maritime Cooperation**
Cyprus and the United Kingdom have taken significant steps toward enhancing their maritime cooperation following recent discussions in London. Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis and her British counterpart, Keir Mather, met to outline the implementation of their maritime cooperation agreement, which was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year.
The talks, reported by the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), focused on how the two nations can effectively execute the terms of the MoU, which was signed in February 2023 between the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry and the UK Department for Transport. This agreement encompasses a wide range of maritime issues, including safety and security, decarbonisation efforts, ship-source pollution, and the welfare of seafarers.
During the discussions, Hadjimanolis emphasized the importance of addressing global shipping challenges and the necessity of deepening bilateral cooperation. The MoU aims to facilitate cooperation in various areas, such as maritime education and training, research and innovation, digitalisation, and cybersecurity. Additionally, it outlines collaborative efforts to combat piracy, fraudulent ship registrations, and the enforcement of shipping-related sanctions, in conjunction with international bodies like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The agreement allows for various forms of cooperation, including expert exchanges, technical workshops, training programs, and the sharing of best practices. Both Cyprus and the UK have prioritized seafarers’ welfare and safety, as well as the green transition in their maritime sectors, as key areas for the implementation of the agreement.
In December 2024, a UK government review highlighted plans to exchange expertise on the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, further underscoring the commitment of both nations to enhance the working conditions and welfare of seafarers.
Keir Mather, who has been serving in the Department for Transport since September 2025 as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics, has a broad portfolio that includes maritime policy, freight, borders, and international transport security. His engagement in these discussions reflects the UK’s ongoing commitment to strengthening maritime ties with Cyprus.
The meeting in London coincided with the 18th Annual Capital Link Shipping & Marine Services Forum, where Hadjimanolis and Mather participated in a roundtable discussion alongside notable industry figures, including TEN founder and chief executive Nikolas Tsakos. The agenda for this roundtable included topics such as trade, regulation, maritime competitiveness, tariffs, sanctions, supply-chain resilience, and the role of regulators in the shipping industry.
In addition to her discussions with Mather, Hadjimanolis also met with Ravi K. Mehrotra, the founder and chairman of Foresight Group, during her visit. Their discussions focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration and strengthening maritime and shipping activities. Foresight Group, established in 1984, initially began as a shipping company and has since expanded into offshore drilling and infrastructure, with a current emphasis on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transportation. The company aims to grow its fleet to 25 modern very large gas carriers (VLGCs) by 2034.
The recent talks between Cyprus and the UK mark a pivotal moment in their maritime relationship, aiming to foster a safer and more sustainable shipping environment while addressing the evolving challenges of the global maritime industry. As both nations move forward with the implementation of their cooperation agreement, the maritime sectors in Cyprus and the UK are poised for enhanced collaboration and innovation.