Today, the Council of Ministers determined that the maritime passenger connection between Cyprus and Greece would be extended.
Evaluation and decision
The Greece – Cyprus connection will be extended for an additional three years from 2025 to 2027. According to a statement from the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, officials decided to extend the contract after thoroughly evaluating performance indicators.
This evaluation focused on the connection’s success rate. The assessment was based on the number of passengers from 2022 to the present time. The connection between the two states has been a mutual pursuit for the last two decades. However, various factors prevented the realization of the project.
Historical context of Greece and Cyprus passenger connection
Despite frequent announcements and the collection of tens of thousands of signatures, it took almost 22 years for a ship to connect Greece and Cyprus’s largest ports.
The maritime connection began in the early 1960s. Ships departed from the port of Piraeus and connected the ports of Cyprus, including Limassol and Famagusta. In addition, the route linked Israel’s Haifa and, occasionally, Lebanon’s Beirut and Egypt’s Alexandria.
In 2000, companies halted the Cyprus-Greece ferry connection due to lack of financial profitability caused by reduced passenger traffic. The last shipping lines operating passenger-car ferries were Poseidon Lines and the Cypriot Salamis Lines, which continued to operate only with Ro/Ro ships that carried mostly trucks and unaccompanied cargo.
Current success and impact
However, after 2022, the Cyprus-Greece ferry connection became a reality. Since the first trip in June 2022, many passengers have traveled on the line. The passenger ferry “Daleela” transported more than 7,000 cars and 700 pets.
As indicated in the announcement, the maritime passenger connection between Cyprus and Greece was well-received. In its first year alone, it exceeded all expectations with great success.
This allowed for the creation of a new segment in the tourist market. Travelers can now conveniently travel between Cyprus and Continental Europe with their private cars and two-wheelers in tow.
The Deputy Ministry of Shipping notes that “from the very beginning, it has given particular importance to the smooth operation of the Cyprus-Greece maritime passenger connection. This service provides an alternative way of transporting passengers and their accompanying vehicles, serving particularly those who face difficulties traveling by air, whether for medical reasons, due to age, or aerophobia.”
“These numbers prove that the maritime passenger connection is essential,” concludes the announcement from the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.
