After two decades of unsuccessful privatization attempts, the Peo union has called for Larnaca port’s future to be placed in the hands of the Cyprus Ports Authority. In a recent event titled “Larnaca Port: A History of Failure and the Path to Success,” union representatives emphasized the need for a new direction.
Peo General Secretary Sotiroulla Charalambous highlighted the ongoing negotiations with Larnaca marina, which have spanned 20 years without meaningful progress, as a primary reason for the port’s stagnation. She noted that the port is deteriorating, with outdated infrastructure unable to meet economic and cargo needs. This uncertainty, she said, also puts the future of port employees’ jobs at risk.
Sidikek-Peo’s General Secretary, Nicos Gregoriou, argued that the only viable path forward is to assign the project to the Cyprus Ports Authority. He emphasized that this move should be guided by a comprehensive plan addressing economic, social, and environmental concerns.
“Turning to the private sector for the third time, after previous setbacks, could prove damaging both to the economy and society,” Gregoriou stated.
In May, the government canceled its agreement with Kition Ocean Holdings regarding the €1.2 billion Larnaca port and marina project. According to Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, the decision followed Kition’s repeated failure to submit the required financial guarantee, leaving the project’s future uncertain once again.
Source: Cyprus Mail