Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis held talks with major maritime companies in Shanghai to promote the Cyprus flag and develop commercial relationships.
At the 10th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum in Pudong on October 20, she joined Greek Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias to discuss investment, regulation and decarbonisation. She called for predictable business conditions and practical, internationally consistent environmental rules that preserve competitiveness.
Accompanied by Ambassador Koula Sophianou and Cyprus Union of Shipowners president Polys Hajioannou, she met COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry, Guohang Shipping Ocean Group and New Yangtze Navigation. Other contacts included Seaborne Shipbrokers, Dalian Trawind Shipping and Fortuna Shipbrokers.
At the North Bund Forum, held on October 20–21, Hadjimanolis highlighted 55 years of Cyprus-China diplomatic relations and five years of strategic partnership. President Nikos Christodoulides plans to visit China in early 2027.
Separately, Kikilias discussed shipbuilding and Greek marine equipment opportunities with Chinese Transport Minister Liu Wei, while condemning attacks on seafarers and commercial vessels.
The meetings form part of Hadjimanolis’ 16-day visit to Japan, China and South Korea, also including the naming of Safe Bulkers’ methanol dual-fuel vessel Kypros Island, expected to join the Cyprus register.