Opens in a new tab

Breaking news

Cyprus Industrial Production Expands With Diverse Sector Gains In March

Robust Annual Growth Recorded

Cyprus Statistical Service reported a 4.7% annual increase in industrial production during March, with the industrial production index reaching 116.7 points based on 2021 as the benchmark year. The figure exceeded levels recorded in March 2025 and reflected continued growth across several major industrial sectors.

Quarterly Improvements And Overall Impact

Growth recorded during March contributed to a 1.5% increase in industrial production during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. According to Cystat, the data indicate continued momentum across Cyprus’s broader industrial sector despite uneven performance between individual industries.

Sector-Specific Breakdowns

Electricity supply recorded the strongest annual increase in March, rising by 19%. Mining and quarrying activity increased by 9.2%, while water supply and materials recovery rose by 3.9%. Manufacturing activity also expanded, recording a 2.8% increase compared with March 2025.

Manufacturing Trends And Challenges

Within manufacturing, production of basic metals and fabricated metal products rose by 8.5%. Rubber and plastic products increased by 7.1%, while other non-metallic mineral products recorded growth of 4.5%. Food, beverages and tobacco production also rose by 3.5%. At the same time, machinery and equipment manufacturing, motor vehicles and transport equipment production declined by 4.8%. Furniture manufacturing and machinery repair and installation activity also recorded annual declines of 3.9%.

Year-To-Date Sector Performance

For the January to March period, water collection, treatment and supply recorded the strongest increase at 10.1%. Electricity supply rose by 7.4%, while production of basic metals and fabricated metal products increased by 6.4%. Furniture manufacturing and related sectors declined by 6.2%, while machinery and equipment production fell by 5.4%. Textiles, clothing and leather products also remained under pressure, recording a 4.7% decline during the first quarter.

Conclusion

The latest data reflects continued expansion across several key industrial sectors in Cyprus, particularly electricity supply, mining and metal production. At the same time, weaker performance in machinery, furniture and consumer goods manufacturing highlights ongoing challenges across parts of the industrial economy.

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

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.

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.

Uol
Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter