Committees

Due to the ever-increasing participation of the Chamber both on the national and the international shipping front, the need for our internal Committees to be sufficiently and adequately manned, becomes even more imperative. These Committees meet on a “when-needed” basis and members are expected to study various documents in advance, upon which, discussions are held during the meetings, in order to establish the Chamber’s positions on the matters in question. For the benefit of new Members, the Committees assist the Board of Directors in its work and as such, they constitute a very important part of the Chamber’s structure.

The Committees as approved by the new Board of Directors for the period 2021-2023, as well as the Chairpersons appointed for the Committees in accordance with the Articles of Association, are as follows:

1. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (CBA) COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Philippos Philis (Lemissoler)

The CBA Committee’s role is to prepare the Chamber’s positions and subsequently negotiate with the local trade unions, for the renewal of the “Collective Agreement for Seafarers onboard Cyprus Cargo, Tanker and Gas carriers for Cyprus Beneficially Owned Vessels” (the “Cyprus CBA”), under the close supervision and guidance of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

2. COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS AND TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Dieter Rohdenburg (Intership)

The Commercial Operations and Trade Facilitation Committee is responsible for monitoring commercial matters, particularly in conjunction with the formation of different shipping related documents, such as BIMCO related forms. The Committee also monitors the various representations and efforts made by the EU vis-à-vis third countries towards the negotiation and conclusion of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) so as to reduce trade barriers and promote the liberalisation of international maritime transport services. The Committee allows the Chamber to keep up-to-date in the area of Commercial Operations in general, as well as address any issues of concern that might arise or exist today in shipping trade.

3. DIGITALISATION COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Manos Manoli (Marlow)

The Digitalisation Committee examines various IT and Communication matters affecting ship operations and shipping companies. Special focus is given on the developments in Satellite Communications for effective and efficient ship-to-shore communications. In addition, the Committee follows up the important work of the IMO Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) Sub-Committee that through ICS advises the positions and policies of the Chamber.

4. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Nicolas Assimenos (Uniteam)

The Educational Activities Committee aims to promote working at shipping companies and/or at sea and the sound employment opportunities that exist in the shipping industry to schools and universities in Cyprus.

5. EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Petros Monogios (Lemissoler)

The Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Committee is responsible for examining employment, labour and social affairs matters related to Shipping on a National, European and International level. The Committee is expected to follow up the work at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Labour Affairs Committee of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Social Affairs Committee of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the European Commission’s Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Maritime Transport. Its primary role is to involve Members in the preparation and continuous monitoring of a level-playing field International Employment Affairs Policy Making Strategy. Thus, the Labour Affairs Committee will monitor the activities being undertaken at ILO and EU level and formulate suggested policy accordingly.

6. EVENTS COMMITTEE

Chairwoman: Mrs. Gina Chrysostomides (Intership)

To advise and make recommendations to the Secretariat on the organisation and to assess and review the Chamber's business and social functions, as well as assist the Secretariat on the organisation and execution, when needed, of these events.

7. HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Manish Ashok Gupta (MSC)

The Health, Safety and Environment Committee deals with various health, safety, and environmental issues relevant to the work of the member’s HSE departments and proposes positions and policies to be implemented by the Chamber’s Board of Directors that will enhance all these parameters both on board and ashore.  Moreover, the HSE Committee analyses the collection of statistics on accidents onboard ships under full management by Chamber Members.

8. CREWING AND TRAINING COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Sofronis Theodosiou (Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Cyprus))

The Crewing and Training Committee is responsible for examining issues affecting seafarers' training, certification and recruitment, both at National, European and International level. The Committee is expected to follow up international and EU crewing and training regulations and requirements, by following the work of the ICS Crewing and Training Sub-Committee. In addition, the Crewing and Training Committee follows up the important work of the IMO Human element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) Sub-Committee that through ICS advises the positions and policies of the Chamber.

9. MARINE COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Erwin Derlagen (Enesel)

The Marine Committee is responsible for addressing all technical matters affecting ship operations.  At national level the Marine Committee monitors technical regulations issued by the Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM).  At international level, the Marine Committee follows the discussions at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Marine Committee and at EU level the work of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) Safety and Environment Committee.  In addition, the Marine Committee follows up the important work of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) that through ICS, ECSA or SDM advises the positions and policies of the Chamber.

10. MARINE INSURANCE COMMITTEE

Chairwoman: Mrs. Anna Vourgos (Aphentrica)

The Marine Insurance Committee is responsible for addressing any concerns that might arise or exist today in the Marine Insurance Market, both in Cyprus and abroad.

11. OFFSHORE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Stephanos Stephou (Fameline)

The Offshore Activities Committee deals with the discussion and preparation of positions on technical, operational and environmental issues relating to the transportation of Oil & Gas, as well as issues relating to infrastructure developments, future exploitation and transportation of Oil & Gas from Cyprus.

12. PORTS, PASSENGER SHIP AND CRUISE TOURISM COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Chris Theophilides (Celestyal Cruises)

The Ports, Passenger ship and Cruise Tourism Committee is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the wider port infrastructure in Cyprus. The Committee also considers matters concerning passenger / cruise ships. With the completion of the new Passenger Terminal in Limassol Port, the Committee pays special attention to the on-going efforts of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism (ex Cyprus Tourism Organisation) and the Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA), in close co-operation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Shipping Association, as well as the new port operators, to further develop the Cruise sector and promote Cyprus as a Cruise Centre.

13. TAXATION, FINANCE AND LEGAL COMMITTEE

Chairman: Mr. Kyriakos Vlachos (CSM)

The Taxation, Finance and Legal Committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring significant shipping related tax, finance and legal developments in Cyprus (also at EU and international level) with an attempt to influence, in a constructive manner, legislative and administrative decisions and policies in such fashion, so as to promote the best interests of the Cyprus Shipping Industry, as well as Cyprus Shipping, EU Shipping and International Shipping at large. The Committee is expected, as a priority, to follow up the work of the various relevant Committees established at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA).