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Asbisc Reports Record Q1 Profit As AI Infrastructure Demand Surges

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 8, 2026

Record Earnings Outperform European Trends

Asbisc Enterprises reported record first-quarter results for 2026, posting net profit of $36.3 million and revenue of $1.27 billion. The Cyprus-based distributor said the quarter marked the strongest financial performance in the company’s history, supported by rising global demand for AI infrastructure and server equipment.

Robust Financial Performance And Margin Expansion

Revenue increased 72% year-on-year during the quarter ending March 31, while operating profit rose to $54.5 million from $16.4 million in Q1 2025. Gross profit margin also improved from 7.00% to 8.62%, reflecting stronger pricing dynamics and a growing contribution from higher-margin product categories.

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Accelerating Demand For AI Infrastructure And Servers

Server and server block sales became the company’s largest business segment for the first time, generating $407.9 million in Q1 2026. The category recorded 233% annual growth, surpassing smartphones, as investments in AI infrastructure, hyperscale cloud systems and enterprise computing accelerated globally.

Geographic And Strategic Expansion

Operations across Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and emerging markets continued to support growth. Among the strongest-performing markets were Taiwan, where sales rose 1,992%, followed by the Netherlands at 385%, Ukraine at 168%, Azerbaijan at 120% and Kazakhstan at 86%. Expansion of logistics infrastructure in Accra and Abidjan also strengthened the company’s distribution network across Africa.

Strategic Initiatives And Forward Outlook

Recent initiatives included integration of Samsung retail accounting systems to improve inventory and financial reporting, as well as expansion of a distribution agreement with ABBYY across eight Eurasian markets. The company also partnered with the Cyprus government and Plug and Play to support startup ecosystem development in Limassol.

Confident Vision For Future Growth

Management said continued investment in cloud and AI infrastructure, alongside expansion into markets including Africa and Saudi Arabia, is expected to support further growth. The board recommended a final dividend of $0.35 per share, bringing total shareholder distributions to the highest level in the company’s history.

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Cyprus Promotes Ship Registry In Asia As Fleet Grows To 25-Year High

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 19, 2026

Cyprus is stepping up efforts to attract international shipowners, with Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis holding high-level meetings in China and Japan as the country’s ship register reaches its strongest level in 25 years.

Running from October 14 to 29, the Asian mission focuses on expanding commercial ties, promoting the advantages of the Cyprus flag and strengthening cooperation with shipowners, shipbuilders and maritime authorities.

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China Meetings Target Shipowners And Industry Leaders

In Shanghai, Hadjimanolis met Wang Qian, vice-director of the Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce and Shipping Service Office, ahead of the North Bund International Shipping Forum on October 20–21. Organisers expect around 4,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, with discussions covering international shipping, maritime safety, financing, insurance, digitalisation and the transition to cleaner fuels.

The minister also met representatives of Dalian Trawind Shipping and Fortuna Shipbrokers Inc. to present the Cyprus registry’s advantages and explore registration opportunities for vessel owners. On October 20, she is scheduled to speak at the 10th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum in Pudong, joining a ministerial roundtable on international maritime leadership.

A visit to Zhoushan is also planned for the naming ceremony of Kypros Island, a new vessel for the Cyprus register owned by Safe Bulkers. Launched in June at the Tsuneishi shipyard on Xiushan Island, the 81,200-deadweight-tonne methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier is scheduled for delivery at the end of October. According to the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration, sea trials were due to take place between October 11 and 16.

Japan Engagements Strengthen Maritime Ties

Before travelling to China, Hadjimanolis met Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kenta Aoshima, in Tokyo on October 16. Her programme also included meetings with senior representatives of Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Nihon Shipyard, NYK Line, ITOCHU Corporation and SSY Projects, focusing on cooperation with Japanese shipowners, shipbuilders and shipping operators.

At the 5th Annual Capital Link Japan Maritime Forum, held at the Tokyo American Club, Hadjimanolis discussed maritime leadership, competitiveness, policy and international cooperation with Capital Link founder and president Nicolas Bornozis. Other sessions examined Japan’s shipbuilding strategy, new-vessel financing and the development of ammonia-powered ships.

The Tokyo programme followed a Cyprus Ship Registry reception on October 15 for representatives of Japan’s maritime and business communities. Hadjimanolis outlined the country’s shipping services and regulatory framework, while Polys Hajioannou, chief executive of Safe Bulkers and president of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, delivered the opening remarks.

Registry Reaches Highest Level In 25 Years

At the reception, Hadjimanolis said the Cyprus Ship Registry had grown by 27% since September 2023, reaching its highest level in a quarter of a century. She attributed the expansion to efforts to improve competitiveness, simplify administrative procedures and provide more responsive services to international shipowners.

Cyprus’s inclusion on the White Lists of the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding was another point highlighted by the minister. These lists reflect the safety and inspection performance of ships flying a national flag.

Existing commercial links with Japan include Safe Bulkers’ announcement in May of four Japanese-built dry bulk vessels scheduled for delivery in 2029.

South Korea Next On The Maritime Agenda

Hadjimanolis’ mission will continue in South Korea, where she is expected to attend the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event and Korea Maritime Week alongside International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and government representatives from several countries.

Her programme will also include discussions on implementing international maritime conventions and bilateral talks aimed at strengthening Cyprus’s shipping ties with South Korea.

The Asian outreach comes as maritime centres compete for shipowners amid geopolitical uncertainty, fleet renewal and pressure to reduce shipping emissions. For Cyprus, the strategy combines promotion of its registry with closer relationships across Asia’s shipbuilding and shipping sectors.