Limassol port to become ‘jewel of the island’

MINISTER of Communications and Works Nicos Nicolaides yesterday confirmed plans for infrastructure and development projects in the Old and New Ports of Limassol, with a combined cost of approximately €100 million.

The projects to be carried out over the next three years are expected to radically transform the area of the Old Port and revamp the New Port.

“The next three years will see the completion of development projects by the Port Authority, with a budget of €77 million, combined with the €23 million for the transformation of the Old Port amounts to a total investment that touches €100 million,” Nicolaides said yesterday while touring both ports.

Nicolaides’ visit to Limassol started at the Old Port and a meeting with the Port Authority, where it was confirmed that the transformation project would be launched soon, despite a two-year delay. “We will announce the offers next Wednesday for the transformation of the Old Port, which will cost over €20 million and is expected to be completed in 2011,” confirmed Chrysis Prentzas, President of the Port Authority Board of Directors.

“This is a grand-scale significant project that will make the area the jewel of Limassol and the entire island,” added Nicolaides.

According to planners the project will encompass the removal of the Old Port roundabout and the provision of open access to the port for the public. The project will link the reclamation area and Olympia Coast in the east, with the Limassol Marina in the west and the Medieval Castle in the north. The area will be transformed into a fishing harbour with taverns, a nautical museum and walking and recreation areas.

Nicolaides then visited the New Port where grand projects are also in the works, including the creation of a new passenger terminal, the deepening of the harbor by 16 metres, the purchase of an additional crane and the construction of two crane bridges. This project is also expected to be completed in three years.

“The government’s strategic aim is to establish the Port of Limassol as the biggest transit port in the eastern Mediterranean,” Nicolaides said.

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