Cyprus launches tender to reinstate ferry link with Greece

The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has issued a tender process to re-establish a maritime passenger link between Cyprus and Greece.

As disclosed, the service will be subsidized by state funds in accordance with the European Union rules governing a Service of General Economic Interest to a total of €5.5 million.

The contract duration is three years with the possibility of an extension for a further three years.

The scope of work includes offering the service on a weekly basis between April/May to September/October only as a seasonal service, providing a total of 22 return sailings per year.

“Reviving the ferry connection will help us to continue building our relationship with the rest of the Mediterranean and we welcome the opportunity to expand the ferry link to a third neighbouring country beyond Greece too”, said Vassilios Demetriades, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister.

“We also recognize that there will be higher demand during the summer season and, therefore, will consider a seasonal ferry connection to encourage a broader range of applicants for this tender. We believe this link will be hugely advantageous to the region as a whole and look forward to reviewing the tenders in the new year”.

Demetriades added that the tender was previously opened to comments and questions in order to adapt its requirements based on industry feedback.

The Shipping Deputy Ministry presented the main provisions of the tender during an open meeting on 29 November 2021 in Limassol, Cyprus. On 2 December 2021 at 12:00 local time, a presentation in Greek in Piraeus, Greece, will be held, the ministry informed.

The deadline for the potential operators to submit a tender proposal is 28 January 2022.