Capital Link hosted the 8th Annual Cyprus Shipping Forum on 18 February 2025, at the Columbia Plaza – Limassol, Cyprus with great success.
The Forum took place under the Auspices of the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus and the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President and in cooperation with the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and other major stakeholders of the Cyprus maritime cluster.
George A. Tsavliris was the Conference Chairman. He was also the Moderator of the Digitalization & Cybersecurity Panel.

Mr Tsavliris, in his opening statement said : "Following through from the insightful key note presentations of H.E. Marina Hadjimanolis, Deputy Shipping Minister of Cyprus and Mr Nicolas Montanios, of Montanios & Montanios LLC, where the remarkable achievements of Cyprus in the shipping sector were re-affirmed, Mr Tsavliris took the liberty to add one vital point which he felt should not be forgotten and needed special mentioning as it is a crucial component to be respected and recognized : that we must never forget the circumstances under which the Cyprus Flag has risen to become one of the world's leading flags in shipping. Despite facing boundless negative criticism, aggression and social upheaval with profound economic and political consequences for the island, Cyprus has not only persevered - but has achieved phenomenal success in the maritime industry. Given these challenges, one could say, that what has been accomplished in Cyprus is truly a miracle".

CLOSING REMARKS

Mr Tsavliris, in his closing remarks, noted: "In today's rapidly evolving global climate, our industry faces an increasingly complex set of challenges. The economic and geopolitical landscape remains uncertain with ongoing market volatility, supply chain disruptions and regulatory pressures. The newly elected Trump presidency has brought an anticipated volatile approach which is of grave concern, a view also reflected in The Economist. Trump's presidency could not only impact Ukraine's future but also risk fragmenting Europe and weakening US-EU relations in the long run.

Beyond the economic and geopolitical landscape, digitalization and cybersecurity have emerged as defining challenges of our time. Strengthening cyber security resilience must be a top priority ensuring that we protect shipping's digital infrastructure while continuing to embrace technological transformation.

At the heart of all these challenges is the human element of our industry. The well-being and mental health of our seafarers must remain a central focus. These men and women are the backbone of global trade and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are supported, protected and valued. Mr Tsavliris highlighted the necessity of seamanship – 'ναυτοσύνη' in Greek - which is missing and needs to be re-instated ; to truly understand and appreciate the challenges in the life of a seaman, every member of staff in shipping must experience it first- hand, smelling the steal of a ship's hull and the salt of the sea.

Serving as Chairman for the Capital Link Shipping Forum in Cyprus for eight consecutive years has been an incredible honor and one which I am immensely grateful for. The lessons learned, the connections we made and thoughts we exchanged are truly invaluable. To the new generation, I encourage you to work hard, to have faith in God, to seize opportunities and have the courage to take bold steps. Success is a combination of dedication, belief and luck – but fortune always favors those who dare".