Newsroom
The dredging of Larnaca Marina is moving ahead as planned and is expected to finish by December 2025, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis said Friday, reassuring boat owners that smoother sailing is on the way.
The €900,000 project involves clearing sand and seaweed from the marina’s seabed, which has been causing problems for boats trying to get in and out. The removed material is being hauled away to designated offshore areas under the guidance of the Fisheries and Marine Research Department.
“Once the works are completed, we’ll have a very smooth entry and exit to the marina, improving safety for everyone,” Vafeadis said. “It’s a project that was urgently needed, and we’re glad to see it progressing.”
The ministry is also repairing the marina’s floating dock, which has been battered by weather, and upgrading infrastructure, including electrical and lighting systems.
As for the bigger picture, Vafeadis said final decisions about the long-term redevelopment of Larnaca’s marina and port will only be made after experts present their findings and local stakeholders are consulted. A first round of meetings has already taken place, with specialists set to return in December to submit initial studies, including how the development ties into wider activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The goal is to shape the marina into a sustainable and profitable unit,” he said, stressing that no final choices have been made.
On a separate issue, Vafeadis addressed the ongoing strike by customs brokers, noting that the dispute falls under the Customs Department and not his ministry. Still, he underlined the need for ports to run efficiently if Cyprus wants to strengthen its role in regional shipping.
“We’ll be working closely with shipping agents, customs brokers and contractors to make sure our ports operate at top efficiency,” he said, adding that more announcements on port development in both Larnaca and Limassol will be made soon.
