The seasoned maritime policy expert joins the Deputy Ministry of Shipping of Cyprus effective July 10.

The Cyprus flag has risen to become the 11th largest merchant fleet worldwide and the third largest fleet in the European Union since the ministry's establishment in March 2018.

Cyprus is flagging more than 1,100 ocean-going vessels with a combined gross tonnage of more than 24 million. Shipping revenues account for 7 percent of Cyprus' GDP, and the sector employs about 3 percent of the gainfully employed population in the country.

“Our ultimate goal is to continue growing Cyprus shipping and further develop our maritime cluster and flag. This will be achieved through the promotion of the Cyprus flag, continuous updating, simplification and modernization of the relevant legislative framework to address the current and future challenges, quality improvements to the services we provide, and strengthening the collaboration with our stakeholders across the public and private sectors," Demetriades emphasized his commitment to building on these strong foundations.

Over the last five years, Demetriades has served as a policy officer in the European Commission's Directorate-General over Mobility and Transport, managing and revising the EU's maritime transport strategy and the EU's external maritime transport ties. He was Head of the EU Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works of Cyprus, which at the time was in charge of shipping and integrated maritime policy, and also worked in numerous other roles for the Public Administration of Cyprus.

Maritime Business World