By Jean Christou
A NEW government measure to improve the image of the Cyprus flag by reducing the age of its fleet was announced at Sunday’s opening of Maritime Cyprus.
Cyprus is desperately trying to shake off its tarnished image as a ‘flag of convenience’ and has taken a number of significant measures over the past two years to improve the fleet.
These include deleting substandard ships from the registry, appointing inspectors, imposing fines on shipowners whose vessels are deficient, and strengthening the Department of Merchant Shipping.
The latest measure, which was announced by Communications and Works Minister Averof Neophytou, reduces the ceiling on the age of ships which can be registered under the Cyprus flag from 17 to 15 years from January 1.
Cyprus operates the sixth largest fleet in the world and has some 2,600 ships currently on its register.
“We have decided to allocate all our resources on safety, pollution prevention and adequate manning standards rather than on growth for the next two years,” Neophytou told some 1,000 delegates at the opening of the conference.
He said that despite the progress of technology the element of human error remains responsible for about 80 per cent of accidents.
“We believe that efforts should be focused on fatigue, health, anxiety and working conditions of the seafarers and their contribution to making mistakes. Improving these factors could reduce accidents caused by human error.”
In his address to delegates the Ministry’s permanent secretary, Vassos Pyrgos, focused on the detention of Cyprus- flagged ships, a recurring issue throughout the conference to date.
He said that in a desperate attempt to reinstate quality in shipping governments took over the responsibility for shipping from the market players by means of rules and regulations to distinguish between the good ships and the bad.
“The system failed, to a considerable extent, to convince that this effort of distinguishing the ‘angels’ from the ‘devils’ provided the so badly needed… transparency, objectivity and consistency,” Pyrgos said.
He said a ship may be detained for a single failure while another may be detained because it is a “rust bucket”.
“Both detentions bear exactly the same gravity in the computation of statistics,” Pyrgos said. “Unfortunately the statistics compiled in this way are the only criteria available in the industry for measuring the performance of flag states. Their infrastructure and the level of responsibility with which they charge their obligations are by and large ignored.”
A study released by Bureau Veritas reveals that only one per cent of the ships detained were obliged to have their operation suspended to enable the carrying out of repairs, according to Pyrgos, who also said that a government alone should not be held responsible for the safety of its shipping.
“Market players are partners in the situation,” he added, and they should start to protect their own interests. Incentives to operate well above minimum international standards could be used to this end, he said.
Referring to the Cyprus fleet, Pyrgos said the biggest growth occurred at a time then the maritime administration did not have the capability to exercise control over its fleet and became a victim of its own success as regards its current image.
“Is it a coincidence that once Cyprus became able to play by the rules this growth has suddenly been halted?” he said.
“Nevertheless this administration will not deviate from its present policy and is determined to steadily follow the long voyage of excellence, regardless of the anticipated short-term negative consequences affecting the size of its fleet.”
