Apostolos Tomaras
The government is once again trying to breathe new life into one of Paphos’ most talked-about development projects: the long-awaited Paphos marina. A project that has been stuck in limbo for nearly 19 years is now getting a fresh push, as the competitive tender process enters a decisive stage.
The call for expressions of interest, announced by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism last September, closes on January 23. Shortly after, investor interest will be formalized through the submission of bids, marking the next step in a process that many hope will finally move beyond plans and promises.
If all goes according to plan, the project will be carried out under a long-term concession agreement using the DBFOT model -- Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer. The marina is planned on state-owned land in the Potima area of Kissonerga, covering around 165,000 square meters. The development envisions a modern, high-spec marina with capacity for up to 1,000 leisure boats, including both sea-based and land-based facilities.
The aim is to position Paphos as a leading destination for marine and nautical tourism in the Mediterranean. The project also includes residential and commercial development, with optional hotel facilities and an optional pier to accommodate cruise ships.
The project
The decision to restart the project was taken in 2023–2024 following a Cabinet decision. The government stresses that the marina aligns with a number of strategic goals: creating a top-tier marina capable of hosting a wide range of leisure vessels, strengthening marine tourism across Cyprus, establishing a unified and secure maritime zone along the Republic’s coastline, boosting the local economy, and tackling tourism seasonality, all while respecting the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection.
Under the tender terms, the project contractor may choose between two development options. The first foresees a marina with capacity for up to 1,000 leisure vessels, with 70% to 80% of facilities at sea and 20% to 30% on land. This option includes residential and commercial development, as well as a hotel complex.
The second option offers the same marina capacity but adds mixed-use development with the ability to berth cruise ships. In both cases, the project will be awarded under a 55-year lease.
Project phases
The tender process is being rolled out in two separate, consecutive phases. The first phase involves expressions of interest, allowing eligible economic operators to apply for pre-qualification in order to move on to the next stage. This phase would have already concluded had a short extension not been granted to allow interested parties more time for questions and clarifications. The deadline for expressions of interest is January 23.
The second phase involves the submission of detailed bids. Selected candidates will be invited to submit full proposals, with the ultimate aim of signing a concession agreement covering the design, construction, financing, operation and eventual transfer of the project. According to the tender documents published on the General Accounting Office’s electronic procurement system, the deadline for bid submission is February 9, 2026.
The bids
The extension granted during the first phase may push back the project’s original timelines. This means that bid evaluations are now expected to take place around March, with companies or investors selected to proceed to the negotiation stage for awarding the concession. That process is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
If everything runs smoothly, and past obstacles do not resurface, construction work is expected to begin in April 2027.
A project stuck in time
The Paphos marina is one more project that has been caught in procedural deadlock for nearly two decades. The first tender dates back to 2007. The period between 2007 and 2017 was dominated by legal disputes, which ultimately led to the cancellation of submitted bids, mainly from construction companies.
The project returned to the drawing board in 2023–2024, when consultants working with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism completed the documents for a new tender. Even the most recent restart faced delays. The process was initially scheduled to begin in early summer last year but was postponed after the Legal Service requested additional clarifications in order to complete its legal review of the project file.
*Read the Greek version here.
