Cyprus takes fifth spot globally in AMVER awards for saving lives at sea

Cyprus has secured the fifth-highest count of awards globally for its participation in the United States Coast Guard’s Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) programme, a voluntary worldwide search and rescue system credited with saving an average of one life per day over the last ten years.

According to a press release by the Embassy of the United States in Cyprus, twenty Cyprus-based shipping companies were formally recognised at a ceremony in Limassol on 12 December 2025, receiving a total of 301 awards for enrolling their vessels in the life-saving programme throughout 2024.

The event was organised by the International Propeller Club, Port of Limassol, in cooperation with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS), and held under the auspices of the Shipping Deputy Ministry and the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia.

‘Vibrant’ Cypriot sector aids global safety

Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission in Nicosia, Shane Siegel, presented the awards on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard, hailing AMVER as an “excellent example of mutual assistance and partnership.”

“Cyprus continues to make vital contributions to the AMVER programne, and that growing support deserves special recognition,” said Siegel. “We know that the vibrant Cypriot shipping sector makes a difference in supporting this life-saving programme and delivers valuable contributions to the Cypriot economy. Tonight, we celebrate these collaborative efforts for safety and stability, and for providing urgent assistance to vessels in distress at sea.”

The AMVER programme, operational since 1958, allows merchant vessels of all flags and nations to voluntarily submit their sail plans to a computer centre. In an emergency, the system identifies the nearest participating vessel and directs it to assist, at no cost to the distressed party. In 2024 alone, AMVER ships saved 255 lives in multiple distress cases worldwide. On any given day, more than 6,000 ships are typically available for search and rescue operations under the programme.

The 20 Cyprus-based shipping companies recognised for their enrolment of ships in 2024 were listed alphabetically as: