A major initiative to reconnect Lebanon and Cyprus via ferry is being spearheaded by the Lebanese conglomerate INDEVCO Group, which also maintains business interests in Greece. Currently, Cyprus is only accessible from Lebanon by air or private boats—a limitation that this new venture aims to overcome.
The project was originally conceived in 2021 by Neemat Frem, Member of Parliament and CEO of INDEVCO. Frem’s plan fulfills a long-standing vision of his father, the company’s founder, to establish a direct maritime link between Lebanon and Europe through Cyprus.
While the ferry line was initially envisioned as a strategic backup—especially in the event of conflict or a closure of Lebanon’s main airport—it has since evolved into a broader ambition of easing pressure on air travel and offering a direct, reliable connection to Europe. According to estimates, around 100,000 passengers travel between Lebanon and Cyprus during the summer months.
Historically, ferry services did operate between the two countries, with the most notable being a wartime route between Larnaca and Jounieh—a coastal city just twenty kilometers (about twelve miles) north of Beirut—run by the Lebanese Forces. That service ceased nearly twenty years ago.
The recent escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in late September has highlighted the urgency and potential of such a ferry link. With most commercial airlines having suspended flights in and out of Lebanon—save for national carrier MEA—residents scrambled to leave the country through any means possible. As MEA flights were overbooked, many resorted to using yachts or expensive private vessels to make it to Cyprus.
How the new Lebanon-Cyprus ferry line will work
The ferry initiative is expected to stimulate economic growth and tourism, potentially encouraging multi-destination travel between the two countries. With Cyprus receiving around five million tourists annually, the new line could entice travelers to extend their vacations with a visit to Lebanon. It also presents new opportunities for business expansion between Lebanese and Cypriot companies.
If timelines stay on track, operations could begin in early summer 2025. However, despite a warm reception from the Cypriot Ministry of Transport and Invest Cyprus, the project remains in the feasibility and investor engagement phase, according to multiple sources.
The proposed ferry will connect the ports of Larnaca and Jounieh with each crossing expected to last about four hours. INDEVCO plans to establish a dedicated operating company in Cyprus and initially acquire a vessel flying the Cypriot flag. There will be a capacity of around 200 passengers.
According to INDEVCO’s preliminary research, ticket prices may range from $100 to $200, depending on demand, season, and load—potentially twenty to thirty percent cheaper than air travel. This cost advantage could allow Lebanese passengers to get to Cyprus and continue their journeys on more affordable flights across Europe and the Mediterranean.
Lebanese passport holders will need a valid EU Schengen visa to enter Cyprus.
Rachad Zeaiter, advisor to Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, noted that Jounieh’s port will require infrastructure upgrades, including enhanced security measures and the deployment of border control and military forces. He confirmed that assessments are underway to meet these standards and facilitate the ferry’s launch.
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