Cyprus deepened its maritime ties with Finland during a working visit to Helsinki by Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis, who joined the Cyprus Maritime Commission as part of the President’s official delegation from May 21 until 23.

The focal point of the visit was a business maritime forum that brought together key players from the Cypriot and Finnish maritime clusters.

According to the joint statement issued by the two countries, areas of cooperation include digitalisation, alternative fuels, cybersecurity, maritime education, gender equality, and efforts to increase women’s participation in the sector.

On the sidelines of the forum, Hadjimanolis held a bilateral meeting with Minna Kivimäki, Director General of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The meeting followed earlier discussions with Minister Lulu Ranne in Brussels last March, building on ongoing dialogue between the two countries.

During the visit, President Nikos Christodoulides held talks with the Finnish political leadership, with President Alexander Stubb making special reference to the role of Cypriot shipping.

“Cyprus plays a strategic role in global shipping,” he said, adding that “the sea is a strong connecting link between our two countries.”

While in Helsinki, the Deputy Minister visited Polaris, the state-of-the-art icebreaker operated by state-owned ARCTIA Shipping, where she was briefed on the vessel’s vital role in keeping Finnish ports operational during the winter months.

She also met with Wartsilä President Roger Holm at the company’s headquarters. Discussions focused on compliance with European and international rules to reduce gas emissions.

As noted in the official statement, the meeting also covered the development of advanced technologies and alternative fuels supporting a “green” and sustainable shipping industry.