Cyprus and Greece will be connected with a new ferry service, the Cypriot Deputy Minister of Shipping said during a press conference held yesterday in Limassol.
"We are pleased to announce the tender for the selection of a maritime carrier contractor which will carry out maritime passenger transport between Cyprus and Greece", said Cypriot Deputy Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Dimitriadis.
"After many months of consultations, we have secured the pre-approval from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition", he stressed.
"With the assurance of the approval of the Council of Ministers for the allocation of the necessary funds for the implementation of this project, the way has now been opened for the conduct of open European competition," stressed Dimitriadis.
The Tender Documents no. SDM 13/2020 are posted on the website of the Public Procurement Directorate of the General Accounting Office.
The offers must be submitted through the electronic system no later than January 29, 2021, at 12:00 p.m.
The price and quality criteria, such as the duration of the voyage, the age and specifications of the ship and the catering infrastructure will be taken into account for the selection of the carrier.
The ship must meet specific safety requirements, and must have infrastructure to accommodate people with disabilities or reduced mobility and the ability to transport pets.
Dimitriadis referred to the fares for which a maximum amount of €80 per person has been set and €120 per person in a single cabin for a return journey.
For accompanying vehicles and motorcycles, the maximum amounts have been set at €150 and €100 respectively for a return journey. Additional port fees will be charged on these fares.
The Cyprus-Greece Maritime Connection will be between the ports of Limassol or Larnaca and Piraeus (Keratsini Terminal), and possibly a stop at a Greek island of the choice of the contractor.
The route will run on a weekly basis during the summer months (May - September), every fortnight during the months of October and April, and once a month between November to March.
The aim of the Ministry of Shipping is to enable the operation of the Cyprus-Greece Maritime Connection in the summer of 2021, provided that a contractor maritime carrier will be found through the bidding process.
This service is expected to enrich the available means of transport and create a new market segment for consumers and travelers to and from Cyprus and Europe, noted Mr. Dimitriadis.
