Cyprus-Greece Ferry Link to Resume in Late Spring

The Cyprus-Greece ferry link will resume for a second consecutive year in late spring with a new schedule expected to be announced soon.

Scandro Holding, which in 2022 was awarded the project of reviving the maritime link between the two countries with the M/V Daleela, after a lull of 21 years, has been formulating the new program.

According to a report in Kathimerini Cyprus, the company is currently attempting to finalize all the details of this year’s sailing schedule in consultation with the ports of Piraeus and Limassol, as the contract gives them the right to start either from Limassol or Larnaca or to use a combination of ports.

The company is also thinking about expanding the service from once to twice a week. The tender specifies that the vessel should make 22 round trips. This means there will be one sailing per week for the period of May to October.

Negotiations to include Israel in the maritime link took place in the past, but this scenario is considered rather remote at the moment, the newspaper reports.

Cyprus Ministry of Shipping has requested that the company submit all relevant details regarding the ship’s itineraries, days, times and fare prices by early March.

According to Deputy Shipping Minister Vassilis Demetriades, under the terms of the contract, the company has the flexibility to formulate itineraries with the ports it wishes to service.

Cyprus-Greece ferry had more than 7,000 passengers in 2022

The revived Cyprus-Greece ferry, which set sail in mid-June 2022, saw its final return voyage for the last season in September 2022. 

After conducting a total of 22 round trips, Demetriades said the overall number of passengers was 7,162. The renovated M/V Daleela also ferried 2,250 vehicles and motorcycles as well as around 200 pets.

Scandro Holding Ltd was awarded the project of reviving the maritime link between the two countries in January for a bid of 15.59 million euros.

The company, a joint venture between Acheon Akti Navigation and tour operator Top Kinisis Travel, operated the ferry service between Limassol and Piraeus for the summer of 2022 on the Cypriot-flagged passenger ferry with a capacity of 400 people.

The ferry includes a restaurant, cafeteria, and clinic in addition to 38 first-class cabins (110 passengers), 68 second-class cabins, and 110 outdoor seats. It can also accommodate up to 100 vehicles.

The Cypriot government has committed to funding the connection with 5.5 million euros per year for a period of three years and a total of 16.5 million euros.