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Cyprus Holds The Helm: Among EU’s Top Maritime Freight Hubs In 2023

by News Editor

April 18, 2025

In a year where the sea remained the backbone of freight logistics across Europe, Cyprus emerged as a leading maritime force. According to new Eurostat data, the island ranked second among EU member states for the volume of goods transported by sea, with 96.5% of its freight moving via maritime routes in 2023.

Across the European Union, sea transport dominated the freight landscape, accounting for 67.4% of total tonne-kilometres—a measure that factors cargo volume and distance travelled. While Portugal led with 98.2%, Cyprus and Greece closely followed, showcasing the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean in European trade flows.

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For 15 of the 22 coastal EU countries, shipping was the primary mode of freight transport. In 10 of them, it represented more than 70% of all movement. Cyprus stood out not only for its reliance on sea freight but also due to the absence of rail infrastructure and minimal inland waterway activity, further cementing its dependence on—and efficiency in—maritime logistics.

While road freight made up 25.3% of EU cargo transport, and rail lagged at 5.5%, Cyprus’ numbers underscore a regional contrast where shipping lanes—not highways—move the economy. Inland waterways (1.6%) and air freight (0.2%) played only marginal roles across the bloc, with Cyprus among countries where these modes are nearly nonexistent.

The report also reveals long-term shifts. Since 2013, only road transport has gained ground in the EU (+2.8 percentage points). Sea freight slightly dipped (-2.0 pp), indicating gradual diversification in continental logistics—but not in island nations like Cyprus, where geography still dictates logistics strategy.

Elsewhere in Europe, countries like Luxembourg (84.5%), Czechia (77.7%), and Hungary (70.7%) leaned heavily on road freight. Rail transport remained strong in Lithuania (31.7%) and Slovakia (30.1%), while Romania led in inland waterway transport (18.9%).

As Cyprus doubles down on its port infrastructure and continues to position itself as a critical maritime hub bridging Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, these figures highlight both a present strength and a future opportunity. In a shifting transport landscape, the island’s maritime dominance remains not just a necessity but a strategic advantage.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.