The one-stop-shop shipping centre at the Deputy Ministry of Shipping will commence operations next Monday, starting with services from the Department of Population Records and Immigration. This announcement was made by Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis.

Following a Council of Ministers meeting where the Centre's operations were discussed, Hadjimanolis detailed plans for the gradual expansion of services. The Centre aims to consolidate all government transactions related to shipping, creating a more streamlined process.

Located in the offices of the Deputy Ministry in Limassol, the Centre will begin by handling applications requiring physical presence. This includes collecting biometric data for registration certificates for EU citizens working in Cyprus and applications from shipping companies. It will also process residence card applications for family members of EU citizens who are not EU nationals themselves.

Furthermore, the Centre will manage applications for issuing and renewing permits for temporary distribution and employment in Cyprus of third-country nationals employed by shipping companies, as well as arranging the residence of their family members.

Hadjimanolis highlighted that the service is not only for shipping companies but also for businesses related to shipping based in Cyprus. This initiative is a collaboration with the Department of Population Records and Migration of the Ministry of the Interior, which provided resources including know-how, IT equipment, and personnel.

This service simplifies processes for companies, as previously, appointments and travel to Nicosia were required for such transactions, which often could not be completed in a single day.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the ultimate goal is to broaden the Centre's scope to include all shipping-related transactions that fall under other government departments and ministries, centralizing these services at the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

Hadjimanolis reaffirmed the continuous improvement of the Deputy Ministry's services as a key priority, aligning with President Christodoulides' governance programme. She concluded, "We support the shipping industry, a key pillar of economic development with a significant contribution to the country's GDP. We are launching policies and actions that align with our strategy to provide high-quality services."