The government promotes millions of pounds for the further development of the island’s ports, Transport Minister, Maria Malahtou – Pamballi stated on Friday. During her opening speech at the Annual General Meeting of the Shipping Agents Association in Limassol, Mrs. Malahtou – Pamballi referred to the works at the Limassol port, such as the deepening of the western basin of the port, the prop of the breakwaters, the extension of the breakwater by 500 meters, the purchase of new post – panamax type transporter bridges and the purchase of a new tugboat.

She also said that the construction of the new waiting room at the port is in progress and the project is expected to contribute to the upgrading pf the passengers’ services offered by the port at the current stage.

As for the development and management of the Larnaca port and marina with the DBFO method, the evaluation of the technical part has been finalized but the evaluation of the economic part is still in progress and will be completed in February. According to the Minister, the assignment of the project to the bidder will affect positively the city of Larnaca.

Mrs. Pamballi welcomed the deliberations between the Shipping Agents Association and the Licensed Porters Associations under the Transport Ministry’s auspices, an effort which is expected to affect positively the port activities. “Soon, the Ministry will forward to the Finance Ministry the bill on the agreement between the two associations”, she noted.

“The Ministry in cooperation with the Ports’ Authority of Cyprus is working hard to establish the island’s ports as cross-trade centers and to maintain their role as centers of passengers’ and cruise ships’ movement”, she concluded.