Dorita Yiannakou
A Lebanese shipping company is advertising a ferry connection between Cyprus and Lebanon without having secured the necessary permits, raising serious questions and concerns among Cypriot authorities. The company has announced plans to launch ferry routes from Lebanon to Larnaca starting June 9, with future extensions to Syria and Turkey also mentioned in its plans. Authorities are mainly concerned about whether the required licenses have been obtained, the legality of the approval procedures, and broader passenger safety issues.
The issue came to light yesterday through social media posts by Lebanese shipping company Cedar Waves, a subsidiary of Abou Merhi Agency. The company promoted a sea connection between the port of Jounieh and Larnaca, claiming the journey would take less than four hours, while also publishing schedules, departure times, and ticket prices. According to the company’s announcements, the wider network would also connect Latakia in Syria and Mersin in Turkey.
However, it appears the plans may remain only announcements for now, as the company has reportedly not presented any formal proposal regarding the Cyprus-Lebanon route to Cypriot authorities. Without the necessary approvals and licenses, vessels are not permitted to dock or operate within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to information gathered by Kathimerini from the Ministry of Transport, the Cyprus Ports Authority, Larnaca Port and the Port and Marine Police, the company has not secured a docking permit nor submitted any official arrival and departure schedules for the use of port facilities. At the same time, business and investment bodies in Cyprus have also expressed surprise and say they were unaware of the company’s intentions.
Despite repeated attempts by Kathimerini to contact the Deputy Ministry of Shipping for an official comment, no formal response had been provided by the time of publication.
Sources say this is not the first time the Lebanese company has made similar announcements about a Cyprus-Lebanon ferry link. According to officials familiar with the matter, this is now the third consecutive year that such routes have been publicly advertised. Authorities reportedly believe that, as in previous years, the project is unlikely to move forward because the necessary permits and approvals do not appear to have been secured.
Officials at Larnaca Port also said they had not received any formal notification regarding the proposed routes and only became aware of the announcements through media reports and online publicity.
According to port sources, launching international passenger routes from an official entry and exit point of the Republic of Cyprus requires extensive preparation, coordination between multiple government departments, and the securing of numerous approvals, a process that cannot realistically be completed within just a few days.
Authorities stressed that operating an international ferry service requires a long list of certifications and approvals, including vessel registration documents, operating licenses, safety certificates, insurance coverage for passengers, and approvals from maritime and port authorities. In addition, tourist passenger transport is treated as a matter of public safety, maritime security, and commercial regulation.
Officials explained that such operations also require coordination with customs, immigration, and port services, along with cooperation with a licensed shipping agent in Cyprus. Inspections and checks must also be carried out to confirm that the vessel complies with European safety standards, international maritime conventions, and passenger transport regulations.
Particular emphasis is being placed on safety concerns. Authorities say they must ensure that any vessel operating such a route is equipped with the proper lifesaving equipment, required safety systems, and full compliance with international and European navigation standards.
Competent sources described the issue as particularly serious, noting that it goes beyond procedural matters and primarily concerns safety, oversight, and compliance with the law, especially when it comes to international passenger transport in the Eastern Mediterranean.
