Cyprus signs Bahrain shipping deal, eyes bigger role as East Med bridge

Economy BahraineuropeMiddle EastshippingTop News Cyprus signs Bahrain shipping deal, eyes bigger role as East Med bridge Img 20260906 112132 Relevant News Cyprus signs Bahrain shipping deal, eyes bigger role as East Med bridge 17 September 2026 As European aid falls, Cyprus boosts its contribution, report finds 17 September 2026 Storms and hail forecast for Thursday, cooler weekend ahead 17 September 2026 Ioanna Mantzipa 17 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus has signed a memorandum of understanding on shipping with Bahrain, Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanoli said, as part of a wider push to strengthen the country’s role as a shipping and geopolitical bridge between Europe, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. Speaking to Phileleftheros, she said the goal is to turn political dialogue with countries in the region into concrete agreements, partnerships and new business opportunities, pointing also to expanding cooperation with Greece, Malta and Italy. With European shipping facing the green transition, the need to maintain competitiveness and growing geopolitical challenges, Hadjimanoli said Cyprus is seeking to strengthen its role as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. “As an EU member state, and as a country geographically located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus can play a substantial role as a cooperation bridge,” she said. Hadjimanoli made the Bahrain visit at the invitation of the country’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, as part of a broader effort to build on the momentum developed in recent years in Cyprus’s relations with Gulf countries, she said. Cyprus’s recent presidency of the Council of the European Union further highlighted the importance of strengthening EU-Gulf relations, with Cyprus seeking to make use of its geographic position and its status as an EU member state, Hadjimanoli said. She said relations with countries including Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia have strengthened in recent years, while cooperation with Egypt continues to deepen. Turning goodwill into partnerships Shipping holds a particular place in this effort, an area where Cyprus has significant know-how, international presence and a long tradition, Hadjimanoli said. She said the country’s active role in the International Maritime Organisation, combined with the dynamism of the Cypriot shipping industry, creates significant potential for cooperation with countries in the region. “What we’re after is for good political relations to translate into concrete collaborations, joint initiatives, knowledge exchange and new opportunities for the business and shipping communities,” she said. Hadjimanoli described the Bahrain visit as particularly productive, both at government and business level. Its central outcome was the signing of the shipping memorandum with Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. The memorandum had been agreed during the two sides’ previous meeting in Cyprus, and, as she put it, “we’ve now moved from agreement to implementation.” The memorandum provides for joint initiatives in areas where there is room for further cooperation and where Cyprus can draw on its know-how and experience. Business, academic and research contacts made during the visit were also considered significant. The Cypriot delegation included the president of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Stavros Stavrou, and the managing director of the Cyprus Institute for the Sea and Shipping, Zacharias Siourkouros, who met representatives of Bahrain’s business, academic and research community. Those meetings identified prospects for cooperation in business, research, innovation and education. “A modern shipping partnership isn’t limited to government contacts. Bridges need to be built between businesses, universities, research centres and industry bodies,” Hadjimanoli said, adding that the priority now is to maintain the momentum created and follow through on the agreements and contacts made, so the visit leads to tangible results. Building a Mediterranean shipping bloc Alongside its outreach to the Gulf, Cyprus is also working to strengthen its position on the European shipping map through closer coordination with other major Mediterranean shipping nations. The 9th Ministerial Trilateral Meeting of Cyprus, Greece and Malta, joined for the first time by Italy, marks an important milestone in upgrading existing cooperation into a stronger Mediterranean platform, according to Hadjimanoli. Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy all have strong shipping sectors and a long maritime tradition, while facing common challenges: decarbonisation, the shift to cleaner technologies and fuels, increased regulatory demands, maintaining competitiveness, and geopolitical pressures. “These challenges can’t be addressed in isolation. They require cooperation and coordination,” Hadjimanoli said. Italy’s participation strengthens the four countries’ collective voice and creates a stronger framework for engaging in European and international discussions on the future of shipping. The meeting also revealed convergence among the four countries on the need to promote a shipping sector that is safe, competitive and environmentally sustainable. “For Cyprus, this initiative highlights our role as a cooperation bridge and as a reliable shipping partner,” Hadjimanoli said, stressing that the future success of European shipping depends not only on national efforts but on strong alliances. A joint declaration for competitiveness A key outcome of the 9th Ministerial Meeting was the adoption of a Joint Declaration by Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy. The Declaration, according to Hadjimanoli, is not simply a political statement, but captures a shared understanding of the main challenges currently facing the shipping industry and sets out common principles and priorities. It focuses on competitiveness, decarbonisation, innovation, clean technologies, supply chain resilience and the safety of sea routes. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to avoid fragmentation between regional and global measures. Shipping is, by its nature, an international activity, Hadjimanoli explained, and needs a coherent, predictable and functional regulatory environment. She said the right conditions are also needed for investment in alternative fuels, innovation and clean shipping technologies. The green transition is considered necessary, she stressed, but must go hand in hand with the economic resilience and international competitiveness of European shipping. Equal importance was placed on the safety and freedom of navigation. In a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, she said, securing safe sea routes is a precondition for international trade and for the resilience of supply chains. Her message, she said, is clear: Europe can maintain its leading position in international shipping only through strong alliances and coordinated action. For Cyprus, the strategic direction is twofold: strengthening relations with the Gulf and the wider region, and building stronger alliances across the European and Mediterranean space. The goal, she said, is to make full use of Cyprus’s maritime tradition, geographic position and EU membership. Cyprus should become not just a significant shipping centre, but an active player in shaping the future of European and international shipping. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News As European aid falls, Cyprus boosts its contribution, report finds Storms and hail forecast for Thursday, cooler weekend ahead French fishers block oil depot in protest over fuel costs Defence accuses Habakkuk Monastery witness of lying, presents ‘forged’ document Explainer: EU chief wants Canada to become an ‘associate member’. What does that mean? 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