A shipping commitment against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean
The Cypriot shipping sector is the third largest in Europe and the eleventh largest worldwide. Its Ministry wants ” Cyprus to become an important and influential stakeholder, leading positive changes in global shipping and to become an attractive center striving to achieve sustainable growth”. About 270 shipping companies are based in Cyprus and the shipping industry contributes to about 7% of Cyprus’ GDP.
Isotech’s second project aimed to mobilise stakeholders in the shipping industry, particularly ports, to implement concrete actions to reduce plastic pollution, notably through improved waste management and the dissemination of best practices.
- Updating the mapping of key stakeholders and creating a group of 15 decision-makers from the public and private sectors committed to devoting at least 10 hours per year to the project.
- Organising a workshop in conjunction with a European ministerial conference, bringing together 15 industrialists to share progress made since the previous project.
- Adoption of concrete initiatives by shipping companies (e.g. installation of osmosis water machines to reduce single-use plastic bottles).
- Development of a structured action plan based on four pillars: infrastructure and incentives, regulation and monitoring, research and innovation, and crew awareness.
- Participation in an international event (Thessaloniki, May 2023) and extensive media coverage: 10 articles, 2 TV/radio appearances, estimated audience of 2.8 million people.
