The passenger-vehicle ferry Daleela departed Limassol port today, inaugurating the fourth consecutive year of the Cyprus-Greece maritime passenger connection. The first voyage carried 187 passengers along with 66 vehicles, 36 motorcycles and eight pets.
Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis attended the launch ceremony, describing the connection as Cyprus’s “unique maritime gateway to Europe” whilst highlighting growing public acceptance.
“This is the fourth year and we are very pleased to see public response continuously growing,” Hadjimanolis said. “Coming here, I observed how much people’s discipline has improved, allowing us to maintain all necessary safety measures, which are our absolute priority”.
Government priority and health benefits
The Nikos Christodoulides government prioritised the maritime passenger connection as “the only way to connect Cyprus with Greece by sea,” the deputy minister explained.
The service has strengthened Cyprus-Greece relations whilst serving people who cannot travel by other means due to health reasons.
“Our goal is to continue the service until the end of the season and we are optimistic about its continuation in the future, with even more connections, possibly with other countries,” she added.
Regarding President Christodoulides’s statements about maritime connections with additional countries, Hadjimanolis confirmed companies from Israel and Lebanon have expressed interest and requested information from the Ministry of Shipping and Transport Ministry.
Service improvements and cruise sector growth
This year introduces free bicycle transport, whilst the ship has been enhanced in quality and decoration. Hadjimanolis thanked Scandro company, DP World, customs, port authority and police for their cooperation.
The cruise sector shows encouraging numbers, with over 170,000 passengers expected this year compared to 120,000 last year, along with more than 130 cruise ships.
Cyprus aims to establish itself on the global cruise map following completion of the first National Cruise Strategy.
Marella Cruises chose Cyprus as a departure port for the first time, carrying economic and cultural significance for the country.
Industry optimism
DP World Limassol Managing Director Simon Pitout emphasised the connection’s importance for Cyprus tourism despite Middle East challenges. The port sees stable cruise sector growth, with Marella Discovery docking every Wednesday.
Scandro Holding Managing Director Charalambos Manoli noted the fourth year shows public embrace of the service. August bookings are full, with few July places remaining, though overall reservations match last year’s levels.
Tserkezoi Deputy Mayor Era Filippou described the Limassol-Piraeus connection as an established institution enhancing cooperation, tourism and Cyprus-Greece relations, expressing hopes for continuation in coming years.
The service allows travellers various European destinations, with motorcycle groups planning onwards journeys to Italy after reaching Piraeus.
