The port and marina of Larnaca will enter a new era, if the proposal of the Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA), which was presented yesterday afternoon before the Larnaca Development Committee, is accepted by all parties involved. CPA submitted a Roadmap with projects worth €415 million. (±50%), which will be developed over twenty years, by itself, the municipal authorities and through a partnership with the private sector.
In addition to the two long-suffering state infrastructures, which have remained unused for twenty years due to three failed attempts with private investors, the Ports Authority proposes developments in land areas of 85,000 sq.m., while it will also undertake the unification of the coastal fronts of Finikoudes and the area of the former refineries.
The design includes, that is, the creation of an integrated coastal front with public spaces, pedestrian streets, bicycle paths, squares and recreation areas.
The proposal retains public ownership of the infrastructure by the Cyprus Ports Authority, but also provides for the attraction of private investment, through cooperation models. For the implementation of the projects, a single master plan will be prepared, with the development becoming a single and divided into three sub-projects. These are as follows:
Regeneration and utilization of the land areas of the marina and the adjacent land.
Upgrade and expansion of the marina.
Modernization and long-term development of the port.
The Roadmap and the Critical Milestones
The Ports Authority presented a costed Roadmap for all the projects it proposes, as well as implementation timelines starting from 2027 and ending in 2045. The Roadmap sets out critical milestones, which include, among others, the preparation of the unified master plan and Sustainability Study, as well as consultations with Larnaca stakeholders.
Upon completion of the consultation with the Larnaca Development Committee and the preparation of a Feasibility Study, the Cyprus Ports Authority will proceed with the planning of the integrated development. The first stage includes the announcement of an Architectural Competition and the elaboration of the Concept Master Plan, which will be the main tool for spatial, urban and development planning.
The CPA clarified, however, that the cost estimates should be considered indicative and are subject to a significant degree of uncertainty, with an expected deviation range of up to 50%, because they were determined before the preparation of the General Master Plan.
Development of land areas with €190 million.
One of the most interesting and important aspects of the proposal, which at first glance satisfies several stakeholders in Larnaca, is the development of land spaces. The projects will substantially transform an area that starts from the end of Finikoudes and reaches the beginning of the new coastal front of Larnaca. These are the first important projects that the people of Larnaca will see, if the proposal of the ALK is adopted as it stands.
The development of the land areas will take place within a decade and has an estimated cost of €190 million. (±50%). The projects are located on the land area of the marina (35,000 sq.m.) and the adjacent land (about 50,000 sq.m.), which extends north towards the port.
The first project to be carried out is the beautification of the land areas and their temporary unification with Europe Square. It is noted that the ALK differed from the proposal of the Superfund, in terms of the location of the shipyards. In particular, it plans to transfer them to other areas, so that land development is not degraded due to the nuisance.
The next stage concerns the development of the main common infrastructure of the unified development, which include the construction of a road network, new multi-storey parking spaces, but also the transfer of the existing ones. The development and commercial exploitation of the land plots, which will result from the General Master Plan and the applicable building coefficients, is proposed to be implemented through concession agreements to third parties.
On land, the following was announced:
Beautification of existing spaces (2027-2028): Implementation by ALK - €2 million
Relocation of existing shipyards (2027-2028): Implementation by ALK-€3 million.
Infrastructure development-Road network (2028-2029): ALK-€15 million.
Communal & green spaces (2029-2031): ALK - €3 million
New parking lots (2029-2031): Implementation of ALK or third parties-€10 million.
The building program includes:
Relocation of existing shipyards (2027-2028): Implementation by ALK-€3 million.
Infrastructure development-Road network (2028-2029): ALK-€15 million.
Communal & green spaces (2029-2031): ALK - €3 million
New parking lots (2029-2031): Implementation of ALK or third parties-€10 million.
The building program includes:
Retail trade (2029-2031): Implementation by third parties – €7 million
Hotel facilities and Conference (2031-2036): Third-party implementation – €50 million.
Exhibition spaces / Nautical Club (2029-2031): Implementation by Municipal bodies – €15 million
Restaurants & recreation areas (2029-2031): Implementation by ALK and/or third parties – €15 million.
Sports facilities (2028-2029): Implemented by Dim. institutions-€5 million.
Centers of Excellence (2029-2031): Implemented by Dim. institutions-€5 million. (CMMI ed.)
Office facilities (2029-2031) Implementation by DPA and/or third parties – €50 million.
Culture and Environment Projects (2031-2036): ALK and/or other Municipal Projects. institutions - €10 million.
Development of the marina at a cost of €20 million.
The projects include the marina's port infrastructure and the supporting land infrastructure and have as their starting point the completion of Market Sounding. They have a ten-year horizon and an estimated cost of €20 million. (±50%).
The development plan adopts scenario 2 of the Growth fund proposals, which provides for the increase of berths by 150-200 berths. The first activity is the maintenance of the existing port infrastructure (Buildings, Public Utility Service Networks, etc.).
Specifically, the following are expected:
Hotel facilities and Conference (2031-2036): Third-party implementation – €50 million.
Exhibition spaces / Nautical Club (2029-2031): Implementation by Municipal bodies – €15 million
Restaurants & recreation areas (2029-2031): Implementation by ALK and/or third parties – €15 million.
Sports facilities (2028-2029): Implemented by Dim. institutions-€5 million.
Centers of Excellence (2029-2031): Implemented by Dim. institutions-€5 million. (CMMI ed.)
Office facilities (2029-2031) Implementation by DPA and/or third parties – €50 million.
Culture and Environment Projects (2031-2036): ALK and/or other Municipal Projects. institutions - €10 million.
Development of the marina at a cost of €20 million.
The projects include the marina's port infrastructure and the supporting land infrastructure and have as their starting point the completion of Market Sounding. They have a ten-year horizon and an estimated cost of €20 million. (±50%).
The development plan adopts scenario 2 of the Growth fund proposals, which provides for the increase of berths by 150-200 berths. The first activity is the maintenance of the existing port infrastructure (Buildings, Public Utility Service Networks, etc.).
Specifically, the following are expected:
Maintenance of existing infrastructure (2027-2028): Implementation by ALK-€3 million.
New Services Building (2029-2031): CPA and/or third parties – €2 million.
Leeward breakwater extension (2031-2036): ELC and/or third parties - €7 million.
New South Quay (2031-2036): ALK and/or third parties - €5 million.
New floating docks (2031-2036): FTAs and/or third parties – €3 million.
Modernization and development of the port with €205 million.
These are the most multiannual projects and are based on Growth fund scenario 2. However, some adjustments are being made concerning, among other things, the construction of a new western quay instead of an extension of the existing northern one, but also the future expansion of the southern quay to serve passenger ships. The developments will take place over twenty years and are estimated at €205 million. (±50%)
First, the port's equipment will be upgraded to improve the environmental impact and improve the level of service to users. In addition, maintenance of the existing port infrastructure is foreseen, in phases, so as not to affect the activities of the port, as well as the upgrade of the critical infrastructure network.
In particular, it is proposed to demolish warehouses for the construction of a Passenger Hall, so that there is a pedestrian connection with the land areas and the marina, as well as the urban fabric. In the medium term, the construction of a new southern quay is foreseen, to increase the berths of merchant ships and in the long term the expansion of the southern quay, in order to increase the capacity to serve a larger number of passenger ships, but also the expansion of the port with the creation of a new port basin and berths for merchant ships.
Specifically, the following will be done:
New Services Building (2029-2031): CPA and/or third parties – €2 million.
Leeward breakwater extension (2031-2036): ELC and/or third parties - €7 million.
New South Quay (2031-2036): ALK and/or third parties - €5 million.
New floating docks (2031-2036): FTAs and/or third parties – €3 million.
Modernization and development of the port with €205 million.
These are the most multiannual projects and are based on Growth fund scenario 2. However, some adjustments are being made concerning, among other things, the construction of a new western quay instead of an extension of the existing northern one, but also the future expansion of the southern quay to serve passenger ships. The developments will take place over twenty years and are estimated at €205 million. (±50%)
First, the port's equipment will be upgraded to improve the environmental impact and improve the level of service to users. In addition, maintenance of the existing port infrastructure is foreseen, in phases, so as not to affect the activities of the port, as well as the upgrade of the critical infrastructure network.
In particular, it is proposed to demolish warehouses for the construction of a Passenger Hall, so that there is a pedestrian connection with the land areas and the marina, as well as the urban fabric. In the medium term, the construction of a new southern quay is foreseen, to increase the berths of merchant ships and in the long term the expansion of the southern quay, in order to increase the capacity to serve a larger number of passenger ships, but also the expansion of the port with the creation of a new port basin and berths for merchant ships.
Specifically, the following will be done:
Maintenance of existing infrastructure (2027-2028): Implementing body is ALK - €3 million.
Upgrading of the Infrastructure Network (2028-2029): ALK-€2 million.
New equipment (2027-2028): ALK-€8 million
Maintenance of existing buildings (2028-2029): ALK-€2 million
Construction of new Administration and Passenger Buildings (2031-2036): ALK-€15 million.
Warehouse demolitions (2029-2031): ALK-€1 million.
Demolitions of buildings (2031-2036): ALK-€2 million.
New Southwest Quay (2036-2041): ALK-€50 million
New northwest quay (2036-2041): LAC and/or third parties – €25 million.
New leeward breakwater & new catchment area (2036-2041): EAA and/or third parties – €35 million
Extension of the southern quay & breakwater (2041-2045): ALK - €50 million
