Cyprus To Host Greece, Italy And Malta For Trilateral Shipping Meeting

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 25, 2026

The upcoming meeting in Limassol on Sept. 9 will expand maritime cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Malta, with Italy taking part for the first time. The meeting reflects Cyprus’ efforts to strengthen cooperation with other Mediterranean maritime states.

A Broader Maritime Alliance

Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis told the Cyprus News Agency that Italy’s participation follows efforts to deepen cooperation among key Mediterranean maritime states.

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According to Hadjimanolis, expanding the format is the result of “targeted and persistent efforts” to strengthen regional cooperation and Cyprus’ partnerships in the shipping sector.

Why Italy’s Participation Matters

Italy’s participation expands the dialogue among four countries facing common challenges in the maritime sector. Hadjimanolis’ visit to Rome at the invitation of her Italian counterpart also helped pave the way for Italy to join the upcoming meeting.

“Italy’s positive response confirms the shared view that the challenges facing shipping today require closer coordination, cooperation and common approaches,” she said.

Meeting Returns To Cyprus After Eight Years

The Sept. 9 meeting will be the ninth session of the trilateral framework and the first to take place in Cyprus in eight years. Cyprus last hosted the sixth meeting with Greece and Malta in 2018, while the most recent session was held in Greece in 2023.

Competitiveness, Decarbonization And Regulation On The Agenda

The meeting will focus on the competitiveness of European shipping, decarbonization and legislative and policy developments at the European level. Participants will also discuss issues expected to feature on the agenda of the International Maritime Organization and European Union institutions in the coming months.

“These are issues that will materially affect the future of shipping and require substantive dialogue among states with a strong maritime footprint,” Hadjimanolis said.

Four Maritime Hubs Coordinate On Common Issues

Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta are among the most significant shipping centers in Europe and globally, according to Hadjimanolis. Their discussions will focus on regulation, competitiveness and decarbonization as the four countries seek common positions on issues affecting the sector.

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Europe’s Busiest Ports Show The Scale Of Maritime Trade

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 7, 2026

Maritime transport carried roughly 13 billion tonnes of goods worldwide in 2024, highlighting its central role in global trade and supply chains. EU ports handled about 3.4 billion tonnes, or 26% of the global total, while nearly 90% of the bloc’s external freight trade is carried by sea.

Rotterdam And Antwerp-Bruges Lead The EU

Rotterdam was the EU’s busiest port in 2024, handling 397.3 million tonnes of goods. Antwerp-Bruges ranked second with 243.7 million tonnes, putting the two northern European hubs well ahead of the rest.

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Hamburg ranked third at 97 million tonnes, followed by Spain’s Algeciras at 81.5 million tonnes and Amsterdam at 78.8 million tonnes. France’s HAROPA port complex, covering Le Havre and Rouen, handled 76.6 million tonnes, while Gdansk recorded 71 million tonnes.

Marseille and Valencia followed with 66 million and 64.5 million tonnes, respectively. Romania’s Constanta completed the top 10 at 57.6 million tonnes, reflecting the Black Sea’s role in Europe’s wider trade network.

Europe’s Second Tier Of Major Ports

Several ports handled between 40 million and 56 million tonnes in 2024. Barcelona recorded 55.5 million tonnes, followed by Trieste at 53.5 million, Genoa at 47.4 million and Sines at 44.1 million.

Piraeus handled 43.7 million tonnes, while Germany’s Bremerhaven recorded 42.5 million. Sweden’s Göteborg handled 38.5 million tonnes and Dunkerque in France 36.8 million.

Netherlands Leads By National Port Volume

Looking at total cargo across each country’s ports, the Netherlands ranked first with 538.1 million tonnes in 2024. Italy followed with 488.6 million tonnes and Spain with 486 million tonnes, putting all three well ahead of the rest of the EU.

Belgium ranked fourth at 274.9 million tonnes, followed by Germany at 273.9 million and France at 269.8 million. Greece, Sweden and Poland each handled more than 100 million tonnes, showing the breadth of Europe’s maritime network.

Turkey Expands The Regional Picture

Including EU candidate countries and EFTA members puts Turkey in second place with 524.7 million tonnes, behind the Netherlands. Norway ranked eighth with 212.1 million tonnes and handled 212.1 million tonnes.

The European Commission has described maritime transport as a long-standing driver of European economic development. Its role now extends beyond moving cargo, with ports increasingly tied to supply chains, energy security and industrial policy.

In March 2026, the Commission adopted two strategies focused on competitiveness, sustainability, security and resilience across the EU’s waterborne sector, including ports, shipping and shipbuilding.

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