A Guide to Shipping in Cyprus - Chapter 3 3. The Cyprus Registry has shown phenomenal growth in recent years. In 1981 Cyprus ranked twenty-ninth on the list of leading maritime nations. It now ranks seventh with a merchant fleet exceeding 20 million gross tons. Cyprus has come a long way since 1963, when the Republic enacted the Merchant Shipping Laws, to be considered now an international maritime centre, a clear indication of the services and facilities Cyprus offers to the shipping industry.
Ship registration is dealt with in a quick and efficient manner.
Following registration, there is a pool of competent officers, both technical and administrative, who are ready to give every possible assistance to Cypriot ships when they need it. Age Limit of Ships Ships up to 17 years of age may be registered in the Cyprus Register of Ships. Recommendations arising from the inspection must be adhered to. If the vessel is a passenger ship, at least 25 percent of the crew must consist of Cypriot seamen with whom an agreement must be signed, unless the District Labour Office in Limassol confirms prior to the ship's registration that there are no unemployed seamen available. In addition, at least one Cypriot student or graduate of a Marine Officers' School, if available, must be engaged on each vessel for a period of up to six months for sea going training.