The pandemic put off for at least one year the Cyprus-Greece ferry connection, which was expected to take effect during the current summer season. Speaking to "Entrepreneurial Limassol", Deputy Minister of Shipping Natasa Pilides said it was no longer realistic to talk about starting the ferry connection this summer as per the original plan, which is now being postponed for the summer of 2021. However, she explained, consultations with the European Commission continue, without the approval of which, no tenders can be invited. Mrs. Pilides, stated that because of the EU's heavy workload at this point in time, this issue is not a priority.
However, Mrs Pilides expressed the hope that the EU would give the green light and that such conditions would be put in place that would make the package attractive for companies to be interested. As Natasha Pilides explained, "a request has been made to the European Commission with a view to approving the funding through a state aid scheme...". In the context of the Commission's examination of the application, consultations have been held and complex data have been submitted which are currently being assessed, adding that ‘’there are various state aid issues, the subsidy of passenger activity and the commercial part of the issue, as passengers will be able to travel with their vehicles and luggages, while the ship will be able to engage in commercial activities’’.
In addition, said the Deputy Minister of Shipping, ‘’we are in the process of examining the documents of the open competition, as well as the consultation with all stakeholders in Cyprus and Greece, regarding the logistics and other aspects of the operation of the line’’. Provided that the approval of state aid by the European Commission is guaranteed, the next stage is the launch of an open European competition in order to find the company that will take over the operation of the line. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister said that the maritime sector internationally has been heavily affected since the start of the pandemic, but has helped during the crisis to conduct trade around the world and to the movement of essentials. Natasa Pilides said the extent to which revenue for the Cyprus shipping sector has been reduced due to the crisis, has not yet been estimated.
