30th August 2025 – 05th September 2025
LOCAL NEWS
1. Participation of the Shipping Deputy Minister, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis in the "2nd Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference" in Saudi Arabia
Between 3 and 4 September 2025, the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, visited Saudi Arabia at the official invitation of the Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Mr. Saleh Al-Jasser, to participate as a speaker at the “2nd Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference (SMIC25),” alongside Ministers from other countries. Notably, Ms. Hadjimanolis was the only Minister attending from a European Union member state.
During her visit, the Deputy Minister held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Al-Jasser and engaged in discussions with representatives of shipping and related industry companies based in Saudi Arabia. Her participation in the Ministerial Panel underscored both the close relationship between Cyprus and Saudi Arabia and Cyprus’s active role in the wider Arabian Gulf region.
In her address, Ms. Hadjimanolis reaffirmed Cyprus’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and forward-looking maritime sector, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation through the IMO, maritime safety, seafarer training and innovation. On the sidelines of the conference, she held bilateral meetings with the Vice Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, and the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Both meetings focused on enhancing maritime cooperation and finalizing Memoranda of Understanding to formalize bilateral ties. Bahrain also confirmed its participation in “Maritime Cyprus 2025,” with a ministerial meeting already scheduled during the event.
In addition, Minister Hadjimanolis met with Ministers from Dominica, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Montenegro, and Somalia to discuss Cyprus’s candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council in the forthcoming elections.
The visit concluded with a meeting at the Honorary Consulate of Cyprus in Jeddah, where she explored ways to further strengthen trade and maritime relations, with particular emphasis on the rapidly growing cruise sector.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
2. USA blocks IMO’s decarbonisation vote
Debate is intensifying over the role of the United States at the International Maritime Organization, with African member states and other stakeholders expressing concern that Washington’s approach may influence the outcome of the forthcoming vote on the new emissions reduction framework. Reports suggest that the US is considering measures such as tariffs, visa restrictions and port levies directed at states supporting the proposals.
The agreement on substantial emissions cuts is the result of many years of negotiations. However, several states and maritime sector representatives remain reluctant to comment publicly, seeking instead to preserve the momentum of the process.
A key factor remains that the registries of Panama, Liberia, the Marshall Islands and Hong Kong represent around 50% of global tonnage. Adoption of the framework requires both a two-thirds majority of the 108 states that have ratified MARPOL Annex VI, and that those voting in favour collectively represent more than 50% of global tonnage.
Should China and Hong Kong support the framework, but the US succeeds in influencing Liberia, Panama and the Marshall Islands (together accounting for around 43% of world tonnage), attention may shift to smaller flag states such as Malta (5.6% of global tonnage) and Cyprus (1.4%).
While observers estimate that the required two-thirds majority could still be achieved, uncertainty remains over how many states will ultimately endorse the proposals, abstain, or align with US concerns.
Related Articles:
SeaTrade 04/09 - IMO member states tire of US threats over climate rules
Splash 04/09 - US threatens tariffs and port levies to sink IMO green deal
Safety4Sea 04/09 - U.S. threatens retaliation over IMO NZF ahead of key October vote
3. Turkey implements strict restrictions on vessels with Israeli affiliation
In light of recent developments, several restrictive measures affecting vessels calling at Turkish ports and engaging in trade with Israel are to be applied. Non-compliance with these directives will result in significant administrative fines. Vessels with any affiliation to Israel, regardless of their flag, are subject to severe restrictions on entering Turkish ports, receiving services, or engaging in commercial trade. Meanwhile, Turkish-flagged vessels are strictly prohibited from trading with Israel.
The following restrictions have been indicated as being put into practice with immediate effect:
- Israeli-flagged vessels will not be permitted to enter Turkish territorial waters, nor to receive any supply, service, or contact.
- Transit passages through the Turkish Straits remain unaffected, in accordance with the Montreux Convention.
- Regardless of flag, any vessel owned or operated by Israeli nationals will be denied entry to Turkish ports and will not be permitted to receive services or supplies.
- Regardless of flag, if the operator or any partner/shareholder is resident in Israel, the vessel will likewise be denied entry, services, and supplies at Turkish ports.
- Imports and exports between Israel and Türkiye will not be permitted, and no commercial trade may be conducted.
- Vessels calling at Israeli ports will not be allowed to perform cargo operations at Turkish ports. Any cargo must remain onboard as transit cargo; no discharging, handling, or unloading into the port area will be permitted (particularly relevant to container vessels).
- Vessels carrying IMDG Class 1, IMDG Class 7, or military cargo with Israeli affiliation or port calls will not be allowed to enter Turkish ports, even for partial cargo operations or additional cargo loading.
- All Turkish-flagged vessels are prohibited from entering or trading with Israel.
- For issuance of delivery orders, authorities will request BIMCO SHIPMAN 2009 documentation.
- For any contact, supply, crew change, or similar transaction (even during transit) submission of the attached Declaration of Undertaking (together with CSR, ISM, and BIMCO SHIPMAN 2009 documents) will be required.
- There are no restrictions for Israeli seafarers or passengers onboard vessels.
- Agents failing to comply with these requirements will be subject to administrative fines under Article 9/1(c) of the Ports Regulation, ranging from TL 12,160 (minimum) to TL 482,333 (maximum).
Force Majeure Exceptions
In cases of force majeure, the relevant Port Authority must be notified and a Declaration of Undertaking must be submitted in order for the necessary actions to be granted.
The full list of restrictions imposed, can be found here.
Related Articles:
NorthStandard 28/08 - Turkiye: New Restrictions on Israeli Linked Vessels
Safety4Sea 03/09 - Turkey implements strict restrictions on vessels with Israeli affiliation
4. West P&I Club: Easing of sanctions imposed on Syria
The West P&I Club has informed on the easing of many of the long-standing and extensive sanctions previously imposed on Syria by UK, EU and the US.
The aim of the easing is to promote the recovery and reconstruction of Syria including the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Although the three sanctions regimes differ in their detail, in broad terms the following activities of potential interest to the maritime industry are now permitted:
- Undertaking transactions with Syrian banks;
- Carriage of jet fuel and additives to Syria;
- Carriage of crude oil and petroleum products to and from Syria;
- Carriage of equipment related to crude oil/natural gas production and to electricity production in Syria;
- Delivery of humanitarian aid.
However, it is important to bear in mind that not all sanctions have been lifted and there remain a number of people and entities designated or subject to an asset freeze, especially those previously linked to the Assad regime.
According to West, it continues to be prohibited to undertake transactions with or to provide an economic benefit to those entities, including where it involves the activities set out above.
Certain of these activities, for example the delivery of humanitarian aid, may also be subject to complying with specific General Licences and reporting requirements.
In addition, sanctions concerning some transactions and goods remain in place and those activities are therefore still prohibited. These include:
- Carriage of goods to be used for:
- Internal repression;
- Monitoring or interception of the internet or telecommunications;
- Chemical or biological weapons.
- Export to Syria of luxury goods;
- Carriage of military goods or technology from Syria.
Related Articles:
West Pandi 01/09 - Syria – easing of sanctions
Safety4Sea 01/09 - West P&I Club: Easing of sanctions imposed on Syria
5. US TREASURY REPORT
The US Treasury Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 1: US Treasury Report for week 29/08/2025 – 05/09/2025
6. PIRACY REPORT
The Piracy Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 2: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report, for the period between 30/07/2025 – 27/08/2025
Nothing important to report from ECSA, ILO and the House of Representatives.