Filenews 29 April 2025 - by Charalambos Zakos
Their plans for a ferry connection between Cyprus and Lebanon were communicated to the Cypriot authorities by foreign investors, who had previously had contacts on our island for this purpose.
According to confirmed information from "F", the proposal submitted to the competent authorities concerns the creation of a ferry connection between Cyprus and Lebanon, from the port of Larnaca to the port of Jounieh, located north of the port of Beirut.
In fact, the same information states that the first contacts from investors were made through Invest Cyprus, while, as it turns out, meetings have already been held at both the Ministry of Transport and the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.
In particular, it is a maritime passenger connection and not a commercial one, and the survey was carried out by a multinational company that is already active in these sectors in Europe and Latin America.
Now, investigating the information, it emerged that these investors want the company's base to be located in Cyprus and the ship that will be used to be under the Cypriot flag, while at the same time they intend to make some investments in the port of Larnaca for infrastructure related to the ferry connection.
As "F" is able to know, the interest arose after the recent change of government in Lebanon, in February 2025. In addition, it should be noted that Cyprus maintained a ferry connection with Lebanon in the past.
Four hours of travel
According to people familiar with the subject, who spoke to "F", the trip by boat to Lebanon lasts about four hours, while they noted that in case the maritime passenger connection is implemented, there will be benefits not only for tourism, but also for Cypriot companies and entrepreneurs who want to operate in Lebanon, but also vice versa.
Even this year
The same people told "F" that – if everything goes smoothly – the maritime connection between Cyprus and Lebanon can start even from the summer of 2025, noting that the company in question does not ask for any kind of subsidy from the state, however, in case the final decision is taken, procedures regarding the establishment of the Cypriot company must first be completed, the purchase of the ship and the necessary checks.
