Cyprus ranked second from 28 countries in its dependence on shipping for the transportation of goods at 80% after Portugal at 81%.

Greece followed Cyprus at 77%, Spain 74%, Malta 67%, Italy 61% and Finland (60%).

Shares of over 50% were also reported by the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Denmark and Germany.

At the opposite end of the scale, maritime transport was less significant in the Czech Republic with 12%, Luxembourg 19%, followed by Ireland and Latvia both 27%, Austria 31% and Croatia 35%.

In 2015 some 53% of EU imports entered the bloc by sea, while shipping represented 48% of EU exports to third countries.

The use of maritime transport for EU trade in goods has slightly increased over the past ten years: in 2006, less than half – 47% – of the EU trade in goods with third countries was conducted by sea.

Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, all located on the North Sea coast, were the top three EU cargo ports in 2014, accounting together for almost a fifth of the gross weight of goods handled in EU ports.

Source: Cyprus Mail