Mr. Andreas Chrysostomou graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding. He continued his studies at the same University and he gained a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). In 1993 Mr. Chrysostomou joined the Department of Merchant Shipping, the Competent Authority for Maritime Affairs of the Government of the Republic Cyprus, as a Marine Surveyor and in 1994 he has been transferred to the Cyprus High Commission in London as the Counselor Maritime Affairs and Alternate Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the International Maritime Organization, a position he held for 10 years.
Throughout the years he has been actively involved and has constructively contributed in all spheres of shipping, ranging from safety and security, protection of the marine environment, legal and administrative issues. He has served as Chairman of the Design and Equipment Subcommittee of the IMO and for the decade 2003-2013 has served as Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), one of the main Committees of IMO.
In 2004 he was transferred back to the Head Quarters of the Department of Merchant Shipping where he is heading the Department’s division responsible for Maritime Policy, Multilateral Affairs and Standards and as from 2014 he is the Acting Director of the Department of Merchant Shipping.
Beyond his work with the IMO he has worked with other UN agencies such as the International Mobile Satellite Organization where he was elected Chairman of its Assembly twice consecutively. Furthermore, he served as member of the Board of Governors of the World Maritime University (WMU) and he is one of the Past Presidents of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMAREST).
Mr. Chrysostomou’s work includes a number of papers presented in Conferences and Seminars around the globe and chaired a number of non government related seminars and conferences.
Finally as a result of Mr. Chrysostomou’s skills and integrity, he has been acknowledged by peers and has been manifested by awarding him the 2011 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Shipping. In November 2011 he has also been presented with the Distinguished Public Service Award by the United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, for his invaluable service to International Shipping and in 2013 the GST Award - Leading Shipping Personality of the Decade 2003 - 2013.