The new tender project for the Greece-Cyprus ferry interconnection was presented to the PPA

The new tender project, which concerns the Greek-Cypriot maritime shipping interconnection, which is expected to start in the spring to summer of 2022 and will include a grant of 5.5 million euros per year for 22 return services, was presented today to executives of ferry companies and journalists, at a special event at the Piraeus Port Authority, the Deputy Minister of Shipping of Cyprus Vassilios Dimitriadis.

According to the terms of the tender, the contractor that is expected to be selected, will be able to receive the grant for three consecutive years, with its extension according to the increase in the number of passengers, while it will be able to start the execution of the itineraries from its holidays. Easter, most likely April-May and then run 22 return trips on a weekly basis throughout the summer.

“This period has the greatest demand from passengers and tourists, while the ship that will operate this route will be able to approach the Main Cruise Terminal in the port of Piraeus and in Cyprus the port of Limassol, or Larnaca or both. “stressed Mr. Dimitriadis.

He stated that “for the Cypriot government, the Greek-Cypriot ferry connection is a very important undertaking and there is interest from both the Greek side and the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Giannis Plakiotakis”, while expressing the assessment that “this time the undertaking will succeeds “.

Mr. Demitriadis stressed that the Republic of Cyprus has been making efforts for years with the support of the Greek government for the operation of the specific ferry connection that has been operating for over 21 years.

He added that the new line, beyond the semantic meaning, has offered the Cypriot and Greek citizen alternative connectivity, as the island is connected to the other countries only by air.

He also stressed that the Cypriot government, with purely national resources, applied to the European Commission in order to secure the subsidy for the specific reopening of this ferry connection.

He has already stated that Israel and many Motorcyclists’ Associations, Associations and Clubs from Cyprus, Greece and Europe have been interested in its operation.

It should be noted that in the terms of the tender on the ferry connection there will be no option for a stopover on a Greek island, however it is explicitly provided in the Tender Documents that the Successful Bidder may choose to extend the Cyprus-Greece trip to a third neighboring country (a trip that will not receive a subsidy) such as Israel or countries other than Turkey.

It is noted that the companies that will express interest must have submitted their bids by January 28, 2002 while the terms of the tender are posted on the page of the Ministry of Shipping of Cyprus.

An important element of the new tender is that the contracting shipping company that will be selected will be able to receive the subsidy money on a monthly basis and not every three months as was a condition in the 2020 tender.

The minimum carrying capacity of the ship is to be able to serve at least 100 passengers and 60 people in cabins.

According to the tender data, the award criterion is the lowest price (100%).

The minimum quality criteria are provided as pre-required in the Tender Documents for participation in the Tender.

The EU / EEA flag criterion of the ship must be met before the service becomes operational and not necessarily when the tender is submitted.

The successful tenderer may decide to replace the original vessel for the duration of the contract provided that:

-the ship for replacement meets or exceeds the minimum specifications of the ship.

-the prior approval of the Contracting Authority is obtained after a successful inspection of the ship.

SOURCE: AMPE