The management, operation, and maintenance of Larnaca Marina will be assigned to a private operator for a period of five years or until procedures for the broader development of the marina are completed. This will not require the private operator to undertake any development projects. This decision was announced by the Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeadis, following today’s Cabinet meeting. He added that it was also decided to transfer the personnel currently providing services for the marina under ANETEL to the private operator as part of the management agreement.
The Minister explained that the Cabinet has also decided that the management, operation, and maintenance of Larnaca Port will be assigned to a private operator for a five-year period or until the completion of procedures for the broader development of the port. As with the marina, the private operator will not be required to promote any development projects. It was also approved that ANETEL staff currently working at the port will be transferred to the private operator under the management agreement.
The Cabinet authorised the Ministry of Transport to continue operating Larnaca Marina and carry out immediate maintenance projects during a transitional period until 31 December 2025, or until a private operator is appointed, whichever comes first.
Similarly, the Cabinet authorised the Cyprus Ports Authority to continue the management and operation of Larnaca Port under the relevant legislation and to carry out immediate maintenance projects during a transitional period until 31 December 2025, or until a private operator is appointed, whichever comes first.
Two Separate Projects
Responding to questions, Minister Vafeadis explained that the call for expressions of interest would follow the public procurement legislation. He clarified that this is not a single development project but two separate ones. He added that he has no information on whether there is any interest from potential operators but noted that he does not believe there is a single entity with the expertise to manage both the marina and the port. However, if such an entity exists and meets the requirements set out in the tender terms, it could be awarded both projects.
The Minister further explained that there are two transitional periods: one until a private operator is appointed and another after the operator takes over, during which the final development plans for the port and marina will be determined. Once these plans are finalised, further tenders will be issued to assign the projects to an investor.
When asked about timelines, the Minister stated that the aim is to appoint a private operator as soon as possible. “Whether this will take three or six months depends on the procedures followed by the Ministry of Transport,” he said.
Vasilikos Port
The Minister also announced that the Cabinet has cancelled its previous decision dated 13 May 2019 regarding Vasilikos Port. It has approved the retention of the port under the management of the Cyprus Ports Authority and authorised the authority to promote the expansion project to create a new industrial port. This responsibility was previously assigned to the Ministry of Transport under the 2019 decision.
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Source: CNA
