Car ferries to resume
By Patrick Dewhurst Published on June 10, 2010 +
-
A CAR FERRY service between Cyprus and Greece could be up and running by the end of summer, offering an alternative to flying for the first time since services were suspended in the 1990s.
Communication Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis yesterday announced the plan to reopen the passenger route from Limassol to Lavrion after a meeting with Greek Ministers at the Posidonia 2010 Maritime exhibition in Athens on Tuesday.
Marcoullis said yesterday that Luka Katseli, Minister for Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, was fully supportive of the plan and was keen to find long term solution.
The lack of ferry services out of Cyprus was highlighted recently when the Icelandic ash cloud grounded flights to Europe, leaving no way off of Cyprus that would allow stranded European tourists the option of travelling home overland.
"There was a very positive response by Lucas Katseli yesterday, and it is my great pleasure to say we have found a temporary solution until we establish a permanent passenger sea link between the two countries."
This temporary solution is to allow ‘Roll on Roll off’ ferries to carry up to 12 passengers with each vehicle, which is the maximum carriage allowed under international shipping law.
Marcoulli said that Cyprus was ready to begin receiving and sending boats and it was now a matter of waiting for Greece to amend its legislation to allow the crossings.
The link will not just be good for tourists, but offer further means of international cooperation that could boost both nations’ tourist industries. "Respect, support and mutual interests of Greece and Cyprus lead us to a common policy and close cooperation between our countries. It is very important to have powerful partners on national, European and international level, like Greece,” she said.
Makis Constantinides, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Communication and Works, said that the temporary solution requires an amendment to Greek shipping law that allows only the drivers to cross on ferries with their vehicles. He explained that both the Greek and Cypriot governments supported the move, and they are hopeful that it would be finalised in a matter of weeks.
Constantinides said: "We have to give people the option other than aeroplanes, and we are both aware of the difficulties but it is a must and the political will is there. It is now about changing the legal framework."
The two governments are considering further moves to make ferries a viable alternative to people.
The first is to establish Lavrion, in the South East of Attica, as the Greek destination port, which could cut journey times to Cyprus by several hours. This is feasible since Lavrion is well served by buses and taxis, and many passengers would be arriving in their own cars.
Asked about the journey time by boat, Constantinides said it depends on the vessel, but at 20 knots the journey would take around 18 to 20 hours, though going by boat should be an enjoyable, relaxing and eco-friendly way to travel.
Secondly, the Cyprus government plans to scrap a law that bars travellers from disembarking during cruises in the region. Constantinides said: "Today when 500 people want to go to the Aegean or to visit Mykonos and Crete on a cruise ship, they have to go and come back on the boat." Removing this law will allow tourists to explore at their leisure. He added "This will give a huge flexibility to passengers."
Marcoulli said there will now a study in cooperation with the EU to see if there are any programs that could subsidise companies in order to establish something more permanent. The government will also examine shipping practices in countries such as Denmark, Finland and Sweden, to see if there are any lessons to be drawn.
Lesezeichen