Limassol’s trade enabler gets new CEO

The appointment of a new CEO at DP World Limassol is expected to give the company a new impetus, after a year of investing and upgrading infrastructure and equipment.

Nawaf Abdulla, a UAE national, has been promoted to the top executive position after working as manager for many years in a number of positions within DP World.

“I look forward to be working at DP World Limassol and the team here in Cyprus. I am confident that together we can bring the Limassol Port closer to its goals and particularly its aspiration to become the main port of choice in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Abdulla said.

Abdulla is known in the industry as a results-oriented businessman who focuses on investments opportunities and building relationships with shareholders and stakeholders at senior level.

Abdulla’s appointment comes at a time when the company agreed last month to relax its two-ship-per-day policy by agreeing to service more than two cruise ships on any given day depending on capacity and other conditions.

The Cypriot government, backed by parliament, has been pushing for a revival of a ferry link with Greece, which began in the 1960’s and was cut off in the early 2000’s after the operation was deemed to be financially unprofitable.

DP World Limassol said recently that over 34,000 passengers visited the island in the month of November, adding that two duty-free shops at the New Passenger Terminal had the opportunity to serve cruise passengers and enhance their overall tourism experience.

DP World operates a number of related businesses, ranging from marine and inland terminals, marine services, logistics and ancillary services, to technology-driven trade solutions.

In Limassol, the company’s activities include break-bulk, general cargo, roll-on/roll-off functionality, oil & gas services along with the brand-new passenger terminal.

In April 2016 DP World Limassol was awarded a 25-year concession to exclusively operate the multi-purpose and Cruise terminal in Limassol commencing February 2017.

“I am fully committed to the company’s goal to secure the long-term future of the port, ensure we do all to benefit our customers and making DP World Limassol an engine of growth for the economy and the society of Cyprus”, the new CEO said.

Abdulla is replacing Edi Cioran, who was serving as the company’s Interim CEO since December 2019.