At the ‘Shaping the Future of Shipping’ summit held in Limassol on 24-25 June, 185 senior maritime leaders warned that sanctions screening, visa backlogs and stricter port-state procedures are now as disruptive as high fuel costs. The International Chamber of Shipping report presented at the event shows the proportion of members citing crew-change logistics as a “top-three risk” jumping from 18 % in 2025 to 32 % this year. Cyprus-flag operators said Schengen-area fingerprint rules introduced in April have increased average seafarer transit times through Larnaca airport by 40 minutes, while Persian Gulf operators complained of delays obtaining Cypriot shore passes for repair calls. The summit urged governments to adopt digital seafarer IDs and expand visa-on-arrival for vaccinated crew. Limassol port authority said it will pilot an e-gate for crew passports in Q4 2026, funded by EU mobility grants secured during the Cyprus EU Council Presidency.
Source: Cyprus Mail
