For the past few years, plans to revitalise the ro-ro ferry connection between Greece and Cyprus have been made. Originally intended to launch in 2020, the plans were put on hold due to the coronavirus. Now, a tender has opened for applications for public subsidy for the ferry connection, which is expected to launch in May 2021.
Limassol, Cyprus: 28 December 2020
The Greece-Cyprus ferry service will receive up to € 5 million in national funds per year in a 36-month contract. The total value of the tender reaches € 15 mln.
It is expected that the route from Piraeus to Limassol or Larnaca will run:
on a weekly basis from May to September
every fortnight from October to April
once a month from November to March
The Cyprus – Greece route will be operated by a RoPax vessel transporting at least 200 passengers and vehicles as well as cargo between the ports of Larnaca and Piraeus. Rhodes and Crete are considered as possible intermediate stops.
According to Greek Travel Pages, the European Commission approved the project in July 2020, saying the ferry link was considered a general economic interest service under EU rules and could therefore be supported with state funds.
Vassilios Demetriades, the Cyprus’ Shipping Deputy Minister noted:
“The maritime passenger link is expected to provide alternative connectivity. Reinstating this ferry link between Cyprus and Greece will be hugely advantageous to the region as a whole, which is why a public subsidy has been granted”.
The fare should cost around € 50 for passengers and € 75 for cars, one-way. The journey between the two countries should run for approximately 20 to 30 hours.
The bids for the selection of a maritime carrier contractor to reinstate the coastal shipping connection between the two countries can be made online until 29 January 2021.
Further information on the bidding of the Greece-Cyprus ferry route can be found on the website of the Public Procurement Directorate of the General Accounting Office of the Republic of Cyprus.
Navigator Consulting Group provides Investment Advisory and Strategic Management services for companies in Cyprus, Greece and Internationally.
For further information, please contact:
Philip Ammerman
Managing Director
Sources:
Greek Travel Pages. 28 December 2020
Cruise&Ferry. 14 december 2020
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