M/V Daleela has docked in Piraeus port after a journey of approximately 30 hours, marking the first sea connection between Cyprus and Greece after 21 years.

Deputy Minister of shipping Vasilis Demetriades who, among other government officials were onboard the ship which sailed from Limassol port on Sunday, expressed his satisfaction and excitement while Greece’s Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zacharaki said that this journey boosts bilateral ties.

Piraeus Town Hall officials organised a welcoming event with the participation of the philharmonic.

Demetriades called on Cypriots and Greeks to embrace the sea connection and make it sustainable, adding that there is a lot of potential for the further enhancement of sea tourism between the two countries.

Zacharaki praised the efforts by the Cyprus government that made this connection possible and assured of Greece’s support.

The ship with 155 passengers aboard arrived at Piraeus port at 1800 local time.

Present at the welcoming ceremony were, among others, Shipping deputy minister of Greece Costas Katsafados, Cyprus Ambassador Kyriakos Kenevezos and deputy mayor of Piraeus Demetris Karydis.