Cyprus as a shipping centre and the history of our island's ports (pics)

Due to its geographical position, Cyprus has since ancient times been an important shipping centre with the sector on our island developing rapidly in recent decades.

According to data from the Deputy Ministry of Shipping data, Cyprus is today a global shipping power, having the 11th largest fleet in the world and the 3rd largest fleet in Europe.

Cyprus has evolved into a modern, efficient and integrated shipping centre, being one of the three largest ship management centres in the world and the largest in Europe.

At the same time, the development of the country's maritime infrastructure, its specialised knowledge of human resources, as well as the strategically important bilateral agreements that have been concluded between Cyprus and other states, have ranked the Cypriot flag as one of the highest quality and most competitive flags in the global shipping sector.

The ports of Cyprus

Cyprus has a total of six open ports, the history of which goes back in time... For some, their history begins in ancient times and for others during the time of British colonialism.

It should be noted that before 1974, the main port of Cyprus was that of Famagusta which handled 83% of maritime operations and was the "lung" of the economy at the time. Subsequently, due to the Turkish invasion, the new Port of Limassol became the main port of the country, and which in 2017 was commercialised following a relevant government decision.

As regards the Port of Larnaca, the second largest on the island, the biggest investment ever made in Cyprus, reaching €1.2 billion, is being made there, and which concerns its development.

InBusinessNews, carrying out an investigation of its own, presents the ports of Cyprus, their characteristics and history .

Larnaca Port

The port of Larnaca is the second largest port in Cyprus and is located in the south-eastern part of the island, at a distance of two kilometers from the city center and six kilometers from the airport, with its southern side joining the marina.

Until 1973 it operated as an open anchorage port, with rudimentary port facilities provided by the city. With the exception of petroleum products, it had until then served very little freight traffic and its storage space was small and unsuitable.

The construction of the new port of Larnaca was completed in June 1973 and was initially intended to share the hinterland of the port of Famagusta and complement its port. It started operating at the end of 1973.

Today it is a multi-use port that occupies an area of ​​445,000 square meters and serves all kinds of cargo from bulk, (feed, grain, plaster) conventional (timber, iron, fertilizers, cars, pipes, as well as petroleum.

The issue of the further development of the port of Larnaca has seriously occupied the Ports Authority in recent years.

In 2019, the government decided to join the search for a strategic investor for the development of the port and marina of Larnaca. Thus, in 2022, the commercialisation of the port and marina of Larnaca progressed to the implementation stage. The project was managed by Kition Ocean Holdings Ltd and concerns the largest development ever made in Cyprus, with the investment reaching €1.2 billion.

This grand investment is to be completed in four phases and over a period of twelve years, and will radically change the image of Larnaca.

New Port of Limassol

The new port of Limassol is the main port of Cyprus. The construction of the port of Limassol began in 1971 to replace the works of the old Port and since then the expansion and upgrading of its facilities has continued.

It started operating in 1974 immediately after the coup and the Turkish invasion as the port of Famagusta, which handled 83% of all operations at the time, was occupied.

The strategic position of the port of Limassol, the accession of Cyprus to the EU in 2008, the liberalisation of port services are reasons that give very optimistic prospects to its future course, as well as to an increase in cargo and passenger traffic.

From 1974 to January 2017, the Port Authority provided services for ship handling, cargo handling and passenger handling.

In 2017 the port of Limassol was commercialised and the services continue to be offered by the new managers.

The managers who took over are the following:

EUROGATE Container Terminal Limassol Limited, where it took over the Container Terminal.

DP World Limassol Limited which took over the General Trade Terminal as well as the Marine Services part in which P&O Maritime Cyprus Limited, which is a subsidiary company of DP World Limited, also participates.

The port sea area of ​​the port covers an area of ​​one square kilometre and the land area covers an area of ​​1.3 square kilometres.

Old Port of Limassol

The old port of Limassol was built in the 1950s during British colonial rule and functioned as a complement to the port of Famagusta, serving the country's cargo and passenger traffic for about two decades.

With the exception of small boats that could moor at the quays, the rest of the ships were served by barges.

Until the construction of the new port, it was used both as a commercial and passenger port and was a beating heart of the centre of Limassol.

With the construction of the new port of Limassol in 1973, but also due to the development that took place in the shipping industry, its use began to decrease and from 1979 it ceased to play any role in maritime activities.

Since then it has been limited to serving fishing boats, pleasure boats, harbour police and navy vessels.

In an investment of € 17 million, the port was renovated and the land area was remodeled. Construction work began in 2010 and was completed in 2014. The project is a social contribution by the Cyprus Ports Authority to the citizens of Limassol with the aim of upgrading the quality of life and improving the character of the area.

The Old Port of Limassol today is part of the daily life of locals and foreigners and is a magnet for young and old alike. Among other things, it has cafes, bars and leisure areas, shops and exhibition spaces.

Philanthropic, cultural, social, musical and sporting events are organised in the large Square of the Old Port of Limassol as well as at the indoor multi-use centre.

Fishing boats, coastal ferries and pleasure boats are also docked at the port today.

Port of Paphos

The port of Paphos is one of the ancient ports of Cyprus, with the largest archaeological site adjacent to the port itself. Within this archaeological site and at a relatively short distance is the Paphos Lighthouse.

Realising the burden of responsibility towards the country's cultural heritage, the development projects carried out by the Ports Authority which reflect the current level of technology, were guided by its history.

On land, the elements of the old architecture were preserved and a project was created that respects the particular character of the port.

As far as the water area is concerned, in 1989 the implementation of a general development programme for the port of Paphos began. Between the years 1992-1995, the land area of ​​the port was renovated, which included the creation of outdoor paved areas along the entire length of the land area up to the south-eastern end of the port, including the Castle Square. An interesting amphitheatre space was also created and restaurants, cafes and shopping areas.

Two new squares have also been created between the consecutive facades of buildings so that there is a connection between the archaeological site and the port.

On the south side of the port, the Port and Maritime Police and professional fishing boats are docked. Small cruise boats are located on the west side of the harbor.

Cruise ships visiting Paphos Port stay at anchor no more than a mile away and the lifeboats of the cruise ships are used to transport passengers.

The depths of the port vary from 2 to 4 meters.

Latsi Harbour

The harbor at Latsi is located at the entrance of Akamas, in one of the most interesting areas of the country in terms of flora and fauna. It is a port which in its original form was used by fishing boats.

Due to the trend for maritime tourism that has developed in recent years in the Mediterranean with the consequent increasing demand for space for mooring pleasure boats, the Authority proceeded with the expansion of the harbor with the construction of a new outer basin.

This new basin caters exclusively to pleasure boats and has all the services normally provided in a marina dedicated to servicing, while the old harbor basin was left to serve fishing vessels.

Cruise ships visiting the Port of Latsi are anchored no more than a mile away and the cruise ships' lifeboats are used to transport passengers.

Following an agreement with the Government, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research has undertaken the management of the old basin, which will exclusively serve fishing vessels.

As for the land area, part of it has been utilised with the construction of open-air dining areas and pedestrian traffic lanes.

The depth of the port varies from 2 to 4 meters.

It is noted that the expansion of the port at Latsi and the construction of a marina are in the works, in a €53.5 million investment. According to the schedule, the construction works will start in 2024 and be completed in 2026.

It is concerns a very promising project, as it is coming to give a boost to the area.

Zygi Harbour

The port of Zygi is located in the southern part of Cyprus between Limassol and Larnaca and is considered to be the preeminent industrial port, dealing with bulk as well as bulky cargo.

The types of cargo handled by it are animal feed, grain, coal, perlite, cement, soil, iron and scrap iron. The main export cargo is cement.

In the port of Zygi, there is the Vassiliko Cement Works Public Company Port Cement Plant and the Vassiliko Terminal (EAC).

Closed ports

It is noted that before 1974, the port of Famagusta, the port of Kyrenia and the port in Karavostasi also operated in Cyprus.

In 1974, after a relevant normative administrative act, in the interest of the Republic, they were declared closed ports for all ships.

(Source: InBusinessNews, Cyprus Ports Authority)