larnaca port privatisation

Larnaca port, marina rebuild gets final nod

The long-awaited €1.2 bln redevelopment of Larnaca port and its marina got the final green light Monday after the Transport Ministry sent a ‘Successful Tenderer Letter’ to the chosen consortium after protracted negotiations.

The consortium awarded the project is Kition Ocean Holdings, a Cypriot-Israeli consortium, composing of investors Eldeman Holding BV and Alexandrou Corporate Services Ltd.

Tender negotiations between the two sides have been ongoing since late 2018 when the consortium’s bid was the only one left on the table after a number of bidders pulled out.

Cyprus Transport Ministry said the letter essentially marks the end of the tender process and the whole project can now move on to the next stage with the signing of contracts between the two sides.

Once the agreement is signed, a 12-month transition period will follow during which the investor will take over the project in its entirety.

This involves the restructuring of the marina for at least 650 berths, the port and surrounding land development over an area of 220,000 sqm spanning to a total of 510,000 sqm.

The development, which also involves real estate, is expected to see the consortium invest around €1.2 bln in the project.

Plans include the development of the marina with the latest technological infrastructure, turning Larnaca port it into one capable of serving large vessels with the expansion of piers, docks and the construction of a modern passenger terminal.

As part of the marina development, there will be a yacht club with a retail park, plus hotels, a private island and residential properties.

Port works will also include the expansion and management of the port, improving current infrastructure such as the interior road network, storage space as well as creating a new terminal for cruise ships and utilising the port for cargo management.

The area between the marina and the port will see infrastructure works carried out, including a road network, green areas, parks, open spaces for events, as well as education and medical centre.

The consortium is also planning residential and commercial development with innovative architecture, streets, and parks.

The project is expected to be completed over a period of 10 to 15 years.

According to the Transport Ministry, the project’s added benefits to the economy should surpass €120 mln annually once fully developed.

Under the proposed venture, it is estimated that the state will receive more than €19.6 bln during the lifetime of the project which includes the 125-year lease on the real estate.

The BOT project will see the government receiving a fixed rent and a percentage of the revenue generated through a concession agreement with the port/marina operated on a 40-year lease and the real estate is acquired on a 125-year lease.

After 40 years the port and marina can be handed back to the government who will then decide on their management.

The complete project will span over 10 years as it includes building two hotels (lifestyle/business), nine office buildings (mixed-use) of up to 15 floors each and six luxury apartment blocks up to 13 floors each.

Source: Financial Mirror

Paralimni Marina gets eco ‘green light’

Paralimni will have its very own €100 mln marina within the next 4 years after the Environment Department has given the green light to the leisure project.

Paralimni marina will the second one in the Famagusta region, and the island’s fifth after Limassol marina, Saint Raphael, Larnaca and the Ayia Napa Marina which is soon to open.

It will have the capacity to host up to 300 yachts and is expected to be completed within 34 months while mix-use amenities surrounding the berthing facilities will be completed within 4 years.

According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, submitted with the authorities, the project will include residential and commercial developments.

A number of small villas and some 120 luxury apartments, as well as shops, restaurants, cafes, are included in the development plan.

As stated in the EIA, the aim is to deliver a high-standard marina, with safe and easy access for yachts, combined with high-quality facilities and services, to attract visitors and tourist all year round.

As the marina will be an official point of entry of the Republic of Cyprus, buildings hosting the relative facilities are also to be added to the project such as customs and other government facilities.

The marina is to be built some 5 km northeast from the centre of Paralimni, and north of Cape Greco between the Sirena Bay and the Golden Coast Hotel, covering an area of 29,000 sqm.

The multi-million euro project which is financed entirely by Cypriot investors, PMV Maritime Holdings Ltd.

Source: Financial Mirror

First glimpse of planned Larnaca marina and port project

The proposed €1b joint Larnaca port and marina project, the first designs of which were released to the media on Friday, will bring radical changes to the area.

Highlights of the proposal include hotels and residential towers at the marina, while the port will be expanded to be able to serve large cruise ships.

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos announced the agreement between the government and the Cyprus-Israeli consortium Kition Ocean Holdings that is behind the project at a meeting with mayors of Larnaca district on Thursday.

Karousos described the deal as historic and said contracts will be signed in 10 days.

Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras welcomed the long-anticipated agreement which he said marked a new era for the town, the district as well as the economy more generally.

The project provides for port infrastructure, a marina, redevelopment of the land, a road network, green areas, parks and pedestrian areas as well as residential units and catering and recreation establishments over a period of 10 to 15 years.

Kition Ocean Holdings is proposing expanding the current marina so that it can berth 650 boats of between five and 150 metres.

The new marina will have catering venues, recreation and green areas, children’s play areas, shops, hotels, luxury villas and an educational and medical centre that can host students to study and train in hotel management, medical studies and marine studies.

At about €1b it is considered the biggest investment in Cyprus to date and on completion will create 2500 new jobs and create considerable revenue for the state.

Vyras told Phileleftheros that according to the briefing given by officials, the investment is within the framework sought by the town.

  • commercial use of the new port
  • tourist activity that will include deepening and expanding the port so that large cruise ships can dock there
  • hotels and luxury hotel suites, residential units for permanent residents, recreation areas, green areas etc

“We are talking about a project which is much bigger than the Ayia Napa marina project which is a very large project for Cyprus,” he said.

Vyras said work may start at soon as later this year.

Based on the Finance Ministry’s study the investment will lead to a €120m annual increase in Cyprus’ GDP.

Combined with the relocation of petrol facilities and the freeing and development of that section of the coastal front, the new project will give further momentum to Larnaca’s growth.

Source: In Cyprus

We work intensively on Cyprus-Greece ferry link, Shipping Deputy Minister says

The Minister pointed out that these data which must be examined are quite complex, adding that there are various issues regarding government subsidy of passengers.

Shipping Deputy Minister Natasa Pilides has said that Ministry staff is working feverishly on the proposal to be presented to the European Commission regarding a ferry connection between Cyprus and Greece which is expected to be operational by the upcoming summer season.

Speaking to the press in Limassol, Natasa Pilides said that the Ministry is working very intensively on this matter noting that employees at the Ministry are exclusively dealing with this issue by preparing the data to be submitted to the European Commission.

She pointed out that these data which must be examined are quite complex, adding that there are various issues regarding government subsidy of passengers.

Pilides said that the Ministry has to be very careful to ensure that the commercial activities are not subsidized while at the same time several issues are being consulted with the Greek Ministry of Shipping.

Source

FPSO Cyprus

Intense international interest in Cyprus’ energy market

The first stage of Cyprus’ Gas Company’s (DEFA’s) tendering process for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has seen considerable interest from the international markets, the body said.

According to DEFA, 25 suppliers, among the most dominant in the global LNG market, are seeking to supply gas and have submitted the prerequisites to qualify for the next stages of bidding and negotiation.
“The intense market competition for LNG supplies confirms that the strategy to acquire an FSRU [Floating Storage Regasification Unit] is the right direction” an announcement said.

Bidders / suppliers claiming their participation in the next stages of bidding and negotiating are; Gunvor International B.V. Amsterdam, Naturgy LNG Marketing Limited, Centrica LNG Company Limited, Endesa Energia S.A., Cheniere Marketing International LLP, Equinor ASA, Novatek Gas & Power Asia Pte Ltd, Shell International Trading Middle East Ltd, Enel Global Trading, Eni Trading & Shipping S.p.A., Total Gas & Power Asia Private Ltd, Osaka Gas Kabushiki Gaisha, Powerglobe LLC, Repsol LNG Holding S.A., Petronas LNG Ltd, BP Gas Marketing Limited, Vitol SA, B.B. Energy (ASIA) Pte Ltd, Mytilineos S.A., Uniper Global Commodities SE, Marubeni Corporation, SONATRACH and Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) S.A., Eni SpA (Gas & LNG Marketing and Power), Glencore Energy UK Ltd and Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

DEFA, following customary international practice for the supply of LNG, launched an open call for Expression of Interest in June 2019. Through this process, DEFA will prequalify and proceed to contract with the LNG suppliers for the procurement of both “spot” cargos and basic quantities of gas. DEFA is expected to proceed to this next stage of the process at the beginning of the new year.

“Turning to natural gas is not only our national strategy but also our European commitment to meeting the environmental and energy goals set by the European Union. The fact that the competition has resulted in numerous and high-profile entries, makes us optimistic that we will also obtain competitive pricing,” said DEFA chief Symeon Kassianides.

With regards to the outcome of the evaluation of the tender for the construction and operation of the LNG infrastructure at Vasilikos, no challenge within the deadline was raised with the Tender Review Authority. As scheduled, the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA) will invite the first ranked consortium to sign the contract in the very near future, the announcement said.

Source: Cyprus Mail

LNG terminal Cyprus tender winners

Multinational consortium named for Cyprus LNG construction

Α multinational consortium of JV China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co Ltd, Aktor S.A. and Metron S.A., with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co. Ltd and Wilhelmsen Ship Management Limited ranked first in the evaluation for the construction of the infrastructure required for the introduction of natural gas in Cyprus, it was announced on Friday.

It followed a lengthy and complex tender process overseen by the state natural gas company, Defa, in cooperation with external industry experts.

The top ranked bidder had to satisfy a series of qualitative, quantitative and financial criteria, so as to be able to demonstrate an ability to perform at the high standards set by Defa regarding the development of the Cyprus natural gas market infrastructure.

“We are pleased to see the successful outcome of the process,” Defa chairman Symeon Kassianides said. “Here at Defa we believe that the future of the country is aligned with natural gas and we expect it to play a major role in the economic development of the country in years to come. The establishment of the natural gas market will boost the development of the whole energy and industry sectors of the Republic.”

The LNG Import terminal to be constructed includes a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU), a jetty for the mooring of the FSRU, jetty borne and onshore pipelines as well as additional facilities.

The LNG Import Project is co-financed by a grant from the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) financing instrument.

Source: Cyprus Mail

Licences for ENI and Total to explore block seven

The cabinet on Monday licensed energy companies ENI and Total to explore block seven of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and approved a partnership between the two in five other blocks.

The cabinet also approved nine other drills inside the EEZ within the next couple of years.

Block seven neighbours the Calypso field in block six where ENI carried out an exploratory drill early in 2018 and is believed to hold between six and eight trillion cubic feet.

Total and ENI had applied for an exploration licence in block seven back in November 2018.

The joint projects include block three where in February 2018 Turkish warships prevented an ENI drillship from carrying out a drill.

Ankara has repeatedly warned Cyprus against taking “unilateral steps” in exploring and developing hydrocarbons without factoring in the Turkish Cypriots.

In September 2001, Turkey and the north signed a ‘continental shelf delineation agreement’.

Turkey’s claims on the island’s EEZ partly overlap with Cyprus’ blocks 1, 4, 6 and 7. Ankara also supports the north’s claims on blocks 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12 and 13, including within few kilometres from the Aphrodite gas field.

Turkey is currently carrying out exploration west and east of Cyprus, prompting protests.

Source

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zim join blockchain

ZIM Joins Maersk’s Blockchain Shipping Platform TradeLens

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has signed on as a member of Maersk and IBM’s blockchain-enabled TradeLens platform.

Launched in 2018, TradeLens uses blockchain technology to drive transparency throughout the shipping process by digitizing documentation and making it available in real-time to all trading partners – from carriers to freight forwarders, customs officials, port authorities and more.

The success of the platform ultimately depends on whether Maersk and IBM will be successful in convincing other industry players to join. But to date, more than five million shipments have been recorded on TradeLens by more than 60 network members and 100 total ecosystem members, according to TradeLens figures.

ZIM joins Pacific International Lines (PIL), the world’s tenth largest containership operator, as the only other major carrier to become a TradeLens member.

“The addition of ZIM to TradeLens shows exactly why we worked with Maersk to create this solution,” said Daniel Melka, Country General Manager, IBM Israel. “Blockchain networks like TradeLens work best when comprised of a diverse network of participants who work together to affect change for an entire industry, which is what we are seeing happen with TradeLens.”

“What makes the solution so effective is its ability to deliver these benefits while still allowing carriers like ZIM and others to maintain their competitive advantages. The more carriers and other ecosystem members that join the platform, the closer we come to bring about a new era in global trade,” said Mike White, TradeLens leader for Maersk.

ZIM is expected to begin contributing data to the platform before the end of 3Q 2019.

Eyal Ben Amram, ZIM CIO commented: “We are very pleased to join TradeLens, as part of our vision to be at the forefront of digital innovation in shipping. ZIM endorses a proactive approach of promoting and investing in innovative digital solutions, such as the pioneering blockchain-based electronic Bill of Lading initiative, in collaboration with Wave Inc, and the recent investment in Ladingo, a ground-breaking e-commerce solution.”