Cyprus is a leading forum in the international maritime industry
mostly due to its attractive tax system for ship owners and ship
managers and due to its ratification of major international
maritime conventions. Cyprus is currently the largest third party
ship management centre in the EU.
Maritime authority in Cyprus
The competent authority in Cyprus for maritime activities is the
Department of Merchant Shipping within the Ministry of
Communications and Works (the DMS) which operates under the
umbrella of the Ministry of Communications and Works. The maritime
activities included under the authority of the DMS are the
registration of ships, administration and enforcement of merchant
shipping legislation, control of shipping enforcement of
international conventions, investigation of marine casualties,
resolving labour disputes on board of Cypriot ships, training and
certification of seafarers and registration of mortgages of ships
carrying the Cyprus flag.
