CSA's delegation has proudly participated in this year's Annual General Meeting of FONASBA, which was held on the 15th-19th of October, in Athens.
Distinguished guests, panellists and fellow colleagues from Associations of Ship Agents and Shipbrokers gathered from around the globe to share views and insides on best practises.
Discussions involved trending shipping and maritime matters pertaining to decarbonisation- the EU-ETS and need for alternative fuels, digitalisation & the use of artificial intelligence in shipping, ongoing EU Customs reform and the prohibitive measures for illicit activities and drug smuggling in ports.
The Conference also covered topics relating to the Code of Conduct & the Quality Standard by FONASBA as well as updated Agency Agreements endorsed by BIMCO.
With education, fostering of incentives and promotion of maritime careers amongst the young generation being of paramount importance, FONASBA is dedicated in safeguarding a fair and equitable business practise for its members and their profession.
During the unprecedented era and unchartered waters in which the industry is currently navigating, the vast experience, expertise and passion of the Port & Liner Agents in taking care vessel matters with the utmost despatch and diligence around the ports of the world, remains vitally important and unequivocally imperative. 
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the International Maritime Union of Greece and personally to our esteemed friends, Antonios Venieris and Anacreon Matarangas, for organising such a successful and fruitful AGM.
The Cyprus Shipping Association (CSA) was established in 1945, to provide a professional forum for the Shipping Agents of Cyprus. In 1954, following its registration under the provisions of the local Trade Unions Law, the Association became the official body representing the profession of the Shipping Agent in Cyprus. The Members of the Association are the leading and long established Shipping Agencies in the island.
The main aims of the Cyprus Shipping Association are:
As the spokesman for the Shipping Agents in Cyprus, the Cyprus Shipping Association ensures that its voice is heard on public issues affecting its members and contributing to the solution of all their problems. The Association also acts as liaison, negotiator and representative for its members in their dealings with the Government, the Legislature, the Port Authorities, the Department of Customs, the Business Community, the Trade Unions and all other interested parties.
With the Shipping Agent being actively involved in the operation and marketing of the Cyprus Ports, the Cyprus Shipping Association plays an important role in port affairs, taking part in the formation of policies applied and the solution to problems arising. The Association maintains close links with other local and international professional bodies pursuing common objectives. Its international affiliations include membership of the Federation Of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA), the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA). At local level it is a member of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (C.C.C.I) and the Employers and Industrialists Federation of Cyprus (E.I.F).
The Cyprus Shipping Association further provides its members with a platform for the exchange of professional experiences of common interest and acts as a centre for the collection, evaluation and distribution of information on local and international developments relevant to the profession and the port industry in general. In a day and age of revolutionary changes and of enormous growth in competition, the Association places increased emphasis on the upgrading of the skills of its members and their staff, the technological advancement of their operations and the strategic planning of their activities.
