Cyprus is set to establish a dedicated coast guard service after the cabinet approved the proposal, consolidating six state services currently handling maritime affairs across separate ministries. The move aims to improve coordination, surveillance, and operational effectiveness across Cyprus’s territorial waters, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone.
Responsibilities and scope
The new Cyprus coast guard will oversee maritime surveillance, policing, navigation protection, combating smuggling and trafficking, safeguarding maritime installations, environmental protection, and participating in search and rescue operations. Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fytiris highlighted that current maritime responsibilities are fragmented, leading to overlapping duties and limited operational efficiency.
Consolidation of agencies
The six units merging into the new service include the Marine and Nautical Police and the Air Operations Unit from Cyprus Police; the fisheries inspection branch and the marine oil pollution prevention and response unit from the Agriculture Ministry; the Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) with its staff and equipment; and the Hydrography Sector of the Department of Lands and Surveys under the Interior Ministry.
EU funding will support a substantial share of operating costs and surveillance equipment, reducing the burden on the national budget. The Justice Ministry will form a legislative drafting committee to formalise the service, define its mission, and appoint a commander based on qualifications rather than police affiliation.
Headquarters and infrastructure
The Coast Guard’s headquarters will be at the “Evangelos Florakis” naval base in Mari – correcting an earlier report that cited the “Andreas Papandreou” base. Upgrades at the base include new berthing facilities for vessels and administrative offices. The service will collaborate closely with the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre and utilise existing facilities from the Marine and Nautical Police.
Also read: Cyprus will station its first coast guard unit in Paphos
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