Mr. John N. Cotzias, President of the Hellenic Shipbrokers Association (HSA), met today with Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, Shipping Deputy Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, on the occasion of the Cyprus Maritime 2025 Conference Week in Limassol.
The meeting took place in a highly constructive and positive atmosphere, underscoring the long-standing maritime partnership between Greece and Cyprus and reaffirming the mutual commitment of both sides to deepen cooperation through education, innovation, and professional development within the wider Eastern Mediterranean maritime cluster.
Discussions focused on the pivotal role of shipbroking as a cornerstone of international trade and maritime commerce, and on the importance of training and upskilling young professionals to address the evolving challenges and opportunities of the global shipping industry.
Mr. Cotzias presented the extensive educational initiatives of the Hellenic Shipbrokers Association, which for more than three decades has organized weekly shipbroking seminars throughout the academic year for undergraduate and postgraduate university students and shipping professionals. Graduates of this program receive the “GNOSIS” Certificate, which bears the seal of the University of Piraeus, underlining its strong academic and professional value.
In this context, Mr. Cotzias proposed that Cypriot university students from Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and other regions could also participate in these seminars online, thereby gaining practical, hands-on insights directly from experienced, active shipbroking professionals. Such participation would further strengthen educational and professional ties between Greece and Cyprus and contribute to cultivating a new generation of skilled maritime professionals across the region.
“If we do not pass on our collective shipbroking knowledge to the younger generation—and if we do not inspire and inform them about what a shipbroker’s life can be—then we risk a gradual fade-out of new talent and the continuity of our profession,” emphasized Mr. Cotzias.
“The maritime bond between Greece and Cyprus is both historic and forward-looking,” added Mr. Cotzias. “By investing in education, knowledge sharing, and professional cooperation, we ensure that our maritime communities continue to lead with excellence, resilience, and innovation.”
The Hellenic Shipbrokers Association (HSA) remains firmly committed to promoting high professional standards, enhancing international collaboration, and supporting the future of shipbroking as a vital link in the global maritime value chain.
The Shipping Deputy Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, emphasized the importance of passing on knowledge to future generations. “It is very important for experienced professionals to pass on their knowledge to younger people, as this is the only way for the sector to evolve, and this is something we strive for”. The Shipping Deputy Ministry considers maritime education as one of its priorities and is committed to targeted actions.
“As technological developments in the shipping industry are rapidly changing, for us, well-educated personnel have been a priority”.
The meeting marked the beginning of a valuable collaboration.
During the meeting, the Shipping Deputy Minister, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis also highlighted the advantages of the Cyprus Flag, emphasizing the importance of a flag administration backed by a European sovereign state, as well as the significant benefits offered by the Cypriot Company Registrar, both of which contribute to the country’s strong and competitive maritime framework.
