It is noticeable how city centres can change from one day to another, so to speak. Larnaca, the “poor” relative of all towns, partly due to its unfortunate vocal pressure groups and some municipal corruption in the past, has been left behind in its development. The very recent upgrade of the original town with numerous … Read more
A legal dispute has arisen regarding the future of workers at Larnaca Port and Marina after a development project collapsed. The contracting company, Kition Ocean Holdings, transferred the workers to the state instead of sending termination letters. Trade unions argue that proper termination letters are needed for the workers to be reassigned to the Development Company. The company claims they followed the TUPE law to protect the workers’ rights during the transfer. The workers met with the Mayor to express their concerns, and further discussions are scheduled.
Small boat owners at the Larnaca marina are asking for reduced fees, which were increased by as much as 25% in March by the previous operator. They have not received a positive response when requesting a meeting with the Transport Minister and the transport ministry’s permanent secretary. Boats are beginning to run aground as sand accumulates on the seafloor due to the lack of dredging at the marina.
Larnaca’s port and marina are now under state control following the collapse of a major development project. The Port Authority has taken over operations, deploying additional staff and private machinery services. The future management of the marina is uncertain, with discussions on potentially separating the port and marina projects gaining traction. The fate of Kition Ocean Holdings’ employees remains unclear, with trade unions advocating for their rights. The government is re-evaluating the initial development plan and considering future steps for the projects.
The government has been pushed into a tight corner by Kition Ocean Holdings, the company responsible for developing Larnaca port and marina, with a contract estimated at €1.2bn. Despite efforts to resolve disputes, Kition failed to pay the €4.2m operation and management guarantee as agreed. The company has shown arrogance and disregard for the legislature, leading to a stalemate in the project. The government is hesitant to terminate the contract due to potential legal battles and delays in finding a new company to take on the project. Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades is seeking advice on how to proceed with the situation.
Kition Ocean Marina plans to introduce new fees for coastal boat operators at Larnaca Marina, angering Mayor Andreas Vyras. The mayor expressed disappointment, stating that no fee increases should be implemented, especially as major projects are uncertain. The contracting company has notified boat operators of a €100 monthly rent for kiosks, with a deadline to settle debts by April 30 or risk kiosk removal. The mayor plans to meet with the Boat Operators Association and propose an alternative space for them provided by the Municipality.
Construction work on Larnaca’s marina and port will begin in June. The guarantee for the project must be paid immediately by Kition Ocean Holdings, with a total of €4.2 million paid out of a total expected amount of €10m. The construction license is set to be issued on April 26.
Fact: The pilot project Seamless Shared Urban Mobility (SUM) is set to run in Larnaca in June 2024 and concerns multimodal mobility.
Fact: Works by Greek painters and engravers from the 19th and 20th centuries are being donated for the creation of a municipal art gallery in Larnaca.
Construction of the €1.2 bln Larnaca port and marina project is back on track after the operator and the Cyprus government reached a compromise agreement over a financial deadlock. The company agreed to provide a letter of guarantee of €4.2 mln instead of the €10 mln required by the state. Once the guarantee is submitted, construction work is expected to resume in June. Failure to provide the guarantee could result in Kition having to pay damages to the state.