The possibility of
re-launching the Cyprus-Greece ferry link will soon be clarified, as a response
is expected from Brussels to Cyprus' request to offer better terms to shipping
companies, that did not show interest in the original tender.
Speaking to "Entrepreneurial
Limassol", the Deputy Minister of Shipping Vassilis Demitriades was optimistic,
that the European Commission would give the green light and that with the
re-announcement of the competition, which will include more favourable
conditions, there will be interest. Assuring that in any case, the Cyprus
Shipping deputy Ministry is determined to work hard to find the formula that
will attract companies.
Apart from the
pandemic and the health protocols, the main reason for the failure of the whole
project lies in the fact that it was going to be a regular service, which committed
the ships all year round. Vassilis Demitriades went to Brussels to secure
better conditions, including the creation of a six-month seasonal line (April
to October) instead of a regular service.
Once we can secure
this flexibility, Mr Demitriades indicated, we will enter into a process of
writing a new tender document, again will consult with the carriers, so that in
any new attempt at re-announcement, we will ensure that there is interest.
He pointed out that any re-announcement will be attempted within the year,
so that the ferry connection will start in 2022. At the same time, a call to
the Deputy Ministry of Shipping to speed up its initiatives for the
implementation of the planning regarding this ferry connection, was addressed
by the Cyprus-Greece Business Association.