The Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) is strictly following the legally prescribed procedure for new public investments to proceed with the construction of an iconic building to house its offices on the site of the former "NEMITSAS" factory, in the heart of the shipping industry in Limassol.
At present, the Deputy Ministry cannot estimate when the procedures will be completed to allow for the tendering of construction works. This is because decisions regarding approvals and other related matters are made by other public services, such as the General Directorate for Growth and the Department of Environment.
According to information received by "Entrepreneurial Limassol" from the Shipping Deputy Ministry, following the identification of a suitable land plot—allocated to the SDM by a decision of the Council of Ministers for the construction of the new building and the coverage of its housing needs—an Environmental Study has been prepared and submitted to the Department of Environment for evaluation. For the preparation of this study, the SDM adhered to the 2016 Law on the Regulation of Public Procurement Procedures and Related Matters, awarding the relevant contract to the private sector. The same process will be applied to the required studies that will follow in subsequent stages.
As reported, the Project Concept Note (PCN) has also been completed, as required during the pre-selection and evaluation stage of major public projects. The PCN will be submitted to the General Directorate for Growth of the Ministry of Finance, along with the views of the Department of Environment, for assessment and approval. In accordance with the legally prescribed process and the Ministry of Finance’s circular guidelines, the Project Concept Note was prepared by the responsible authority, namely the Shipping Deputy Ministry.
It is noted that for projects involving significant financial costs, which have received a positive evaluation of their Project Concept Note from the Ministry of Finance, a Feasibility Study must also be conducted. This will then be submitted to the General Directorate for Growth for independent assessment. Since the construction of the new building must comply with the terms and conditions set by the Ministry of Finance for all government buildings, the Shipping Deputy Ministry assures that it is making every effort to secure all necessary approvals to enable the commencement of the construction process.
It is also emphasized that all involved services are aware that this is a project that must proceed as quickly as possible. For this reason, all parties are making every effort to advance the necessary actions without delays. It should be noted that only one part of the existing facilities on the Nemitsa industrial site has been classified as "noteworthy" by the Department of Public Works. However, whether it will ultimately be demolished or preserved will be decided at a later stage.
The SDM believes that, beyond meeting its housing needs, the new building will enhance the port area. Furthermore, it highlights that, for the first time, Limassol will host the only Deputy Ministry in a new, modern building that reflects the prestige and seriousness of the Republic of Cyprus. The new building of the Shipping Deputy Ministry is designed to fully align with green transition goals, with a zero carbon dioxide footprint, as it will generate as much energy as it consumes.
