**Hadjimanolis Promotes Cyprus Flag in Athens During Three-Day Maritime Initiative**
Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis embarked on a three-day working visit to Athens on September 17, aimed at bolstering the visibility of the Cyprus flag and enhancing the island's standing as a prominent maritime hub. This visit coincides with significant maritime events, including World Maritime Day and the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
During her stay from September 17 to 19, Hadjimanolis is scheduled to engage with shipping executives and partake in various industry-related events. A key highlight of her agenda is the event titled "Women, Shipping, Social Contribution," organized by the Shipping Deputy Ministry in recognition of World Maritime Day. Hadjimanolis is set to deliver the opening address, with the attendance of First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides further emphasizing the event's significance. This year, World Maritime Day is celebrated on September 24, with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) selecting “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence” as the theme for 2026 and 2027. This theme focuses on implementing internationally agreed maritime regulations into actionable practices within the maritime sector.
In addition to the event for World Maritime Day, Hadjimanolis will participate in the annual general meeting of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS), where she is expected to address its members. Following the meeting, she will attend the union's annual dinner, which is anticipated to be attended by President Nikos Christodoulides.
A significant aspect of Hadjimanolis's visit is her focus on seafarers' working conditions. She is scheduled to speak at an event organized by Greece's Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation, in collaboration with Cyprus’ Federation of Transport, Petroleum and Agricultural Workers. This event commemorates the 20th anniversary of the MLC, which was adopted by the International Labour Organisation on February 23, 2006, and came into effect on August 20, 2013. The MLC establishes essential standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers, covering aspects such as employment agreements, wages, hours of work and rest, accommodation, food, medical care, health and safety, and repatriation. Often referred to as the “seafarers’ bill of rights,” the convention aims to unify maritime labor standards under a single international framework, promoting consistent conditions across the global shipping industry.
Beyond formal events, Hadjimanolis is expected to hold discussions with executives from various shipping companies. The Shipping Deputy Ministry aims to promote Cyprus as a strategic base for maritime businesses and to encourage the registration of vessels under the Cyprus flag. Topics of discussion will likely include the competitiveness of Cyprus's shipping sector, the services available to international maritime companies, and strategies to attract further business and registrations to the Cyprus Ship Registry.
According to the Shipping Deputy Ministry, Cyprus boasts the 11th largest fleet globally and ranks as the third largest in Europe. Additionally, the island is recognized as Europe’s largest third-party ship management center, with companies based in Cyprus managing over 20 percent of the world’s third-party managed fleet.
Hadjimanolis's trip to Athens is part of a busy schedule that has included recent international engagements. Earlier in September, she visited Bahrain to sign a maritime cooperation agreement and hosted shipping ministers from Greece, Malta, and Italy in Limassol to discuss the competitiveness and future of European shipping.
As Cyprus continues to enhance its maritime profile, Hadjimanolis's visit to Athens underscores the island's commitment to strengthening its position in the international shipping sector and advocating for the rights and welfare of seafarers.