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.