Today, we had a unique day filled evenly with culture and industrious companies. We stopped at Vassiliko Cement Works and Port. We first listened to a presentation on the company and then toured the plant and port. For lunch, we stopped at a fish tavern in Zygi and we concluded our day with a meeting with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
The two most consumed items throughout the world are cement and water. Vassiliko Cement Works capitalizes on this statistic as being one of the largest heavy industries in Cyprus. They produce both clinker and cement, through an elaborate process. First, the raw materials such as limestone, gypsum, and clay are gathered from quarries and crushed in a large machine. Then, these raw materials are all preblended in specific ratios to achieve varying strengths of the concrete. This mixture is funneled into a series of heating ducts to dry before getting placed into the kelim. This is heated to produce clinker, a vial component of cement. Both clinker and cement were then exported through the Vassiliko Port, the third largest port throughout Cyprus.
An important aspect of this manufacturing process is the environmental consideration that Vassiliko has pledged to improve upon. The plant burns around ten tons per hour of fossil fuels and thirty tons per hour of renewable fuel, with the products of this being filtered and then released to the environment. Something that stood out immediately to me was how Vassiliko obtained its renewable fuels. This company ships in chopped tires, wood, recyclables, and waste to create bails of fuel. I found this so fascinating. Vassiliko produces its renewable energy by reducing waste in the world, thus solving two issues with one singular process. This company is truly revolutionary in the cement industry.
Later in the day, we visited a fish tavern in Zygi where I experienced my first fish meze. Fish ranging from baby crabs to cuddle fish was prepared and brought to our table in multiple courses. I do not love fish, so this was certainly an experience trying the different amounts of fresh seafood that were prepared. Overall, my favorite was the prawn as it tasted the least fishy, but overall, this meal gave me a better appreciation for one of Cyprus’s main food groups.
Lastly, we visited MSC where their hospitality rivaled Columbia Ship Management (CSM). MSC is one of the world’s leading ship management companies where they manage 730 vessels, including the largest vessel in the entire world. MSC preaches very similar concepts to CSM. This includes building long-term partnerships, promoting advanced supply chains, and developing a network for their customers. Yet, the companies slightly differ when it comes to sustainability. Rather than optimizing the engines and travel paths like CSM, MSC focuses on its ship designs. MSC learned the larger the ships, the more sustainable they are as more product is moved for the cost of less hence, they have the largest vessel in the world. Aside from the management of the company, the hospitality was amazing with gifts and food. Between MSC and CSM I have learned a lot about the ship management industry, the importance of sustainability throughout shipping, and how far little gifts go to captivate audiences.