“Shipping in Cyprus and Related Legal Affairs: Recent Developments and Challenges”

UCLan Cyprus School of Law Research Seminar 15, Tuesday 2^nd December, 13:45-14:45 (Moot Court Room)

Ms Athena Chrysostomou

(Maritime Affairs Officer, Department of Merchant Shipping)

The Cyprus Registry ranks tenth among international fleets and third within the European Union. Cyprus is a major base for international shipping operations and for other shipping related activities. A remarkable maritime cluster has been developed, with ship owning and ship management as its core activities. The seminar will describe the shipping activities in Cyprus from the perspective of the Department of Merchant Shipping, taking into consideration the applicable merchant shipping legislation in force in Cyprus.  At the same time it will explain the advantages and benefits which exist from registering vessels in the Register of Cyprus Ships and in particular the fiscal advantages which were introduced by the new fees and taxing legislation in Cyprus.  Finally mention shall be made to the new developments due to the discovery of hydrocarbons in Cyprus creating new potential for Cyprus shipping and the economy in general.

Athena Chrysostomou studied law in the United Kingdom where she obtained an LL.B. (Hons) degree and an LL.M. in International and Commercial Law.  She is a Barrister-at Law of the Middle Temple Inn of Court and was called to the English Bar in 1995.  In 1996 she was admitted to the Cyprus Bar and practised law in some of the leading law firms in Cyprus.  Since 2003 she is a Maritime Affairs Officer at the Department of Merchant Shipping in Limassol and deals with a wide range of matters, including issues relating to the Cyprus Ships Registry, the implementation of the Government Policy for the registration of ships under Cyprus flag, Bilateral Shipping Cooperation Agreements, drafting/ updating of relevant legislation and providing information on the registration of ships, taxation and other related matters.