By
Alex Smith |
The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has launched a tender process to reinstate a ferry link between Cyprus and Greece, which will be subsidised by state funds. The ferry connection has not operated since 2000.
The tender was launched by the SDM following approval by the Directorate General for Competition of the European Commission in June 2020, which was granted on the basis that maritime transport between the countries constituted a Service of General Economic Interest. The service will receive up to €5 million ($6.08 million) in national funds per year in a 36-month contract.
“Cyprus, as an island state, should not be dependant solely on air transport in its connection with Continental Europe,” said Vassilios Demetriades, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister. “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 successful operator must provide a total of 31 return sailings each year between either Limassol or Larnaca in Cyprus and Piraeus, Greece. One sailing per week will be scheduled between May and September, reduced to one every two weeks in October and April, and only once per month between November and March. The ro-pax vessel will be required to fly an European Union/European Economic Area flag appearing on the Paris Memorandum of Understanding White List and have a minimum capacity of 200 passengers.
The deadline for tender submissions is 29 January 2021.