31/03/2021 06:46
There is no significant impact on Cyprus shipping or the country’s supply chain from the Suez Canal blockage, Shipping Deputy Minister Vasilis Demetriades has told CNA.
Demetriades, who was replying to a CNA question on the matter, said that “there are no recorded problems in Cyprus shipping while I do not consider that there will be a significant impact on Cyprus’ supply chain.”
“The problem which arose was an isolated incident and no significant impact is being recorded,” he added.
He also said that following the dislodgment of the "Ever Given" soon normality will resume in the area, recalling that it will take some days until the 400 vessels which have been waiting are able to pass through the Canal, since under normal circumstances about 55 vessels go through every day.
At the same time, Demetriades was also asked about efforts to establish a ferry connection between Cyprus and Greece and said that the government is not abandoning the effort but that it is waiting on the European Commission’s positions on the possibility of offering better terms to companies who had initially shown an interest.
He said that it is expected that in about a month the Deputy Ministry will either be able to launch a new competition process or abandon the project if the reply from Brussels is a negative one, expressing however his optimism that the project will get the "green light".
Demetriades also said that at least two large cruise ships are expected to be based in Limassol port this year, with the Shipping Deputy Minister attributing their choice to the way Cyprus handled the pandemic.
Asked to comment on a recent announcement for the launch of cruises from Limassol with the Royal Caribbean cruise ship "Jewel of the Seas" Demetriades said that he has indications for at least one more company that will choose Limassol this year.
This decision proves that Cyprus is suitable as a base for cruises, due to the successful way of dealing with the pandemic, the health protocols and the epidemiological situation in our country, he concluded.