The Cyprus–Greece passenger ferry service cannot continue unless the government subsidy is renewed, the CEO of the operating company Scandro Holding Ltd, Charalambos Manolis, who believes that the goal of a self-sustaining, viable ferry service has not been achieved.
Mr. Manolis referred to the future of the maritime passenger service, which began in 2022, following the European Commission’s approval of a three-year government subsidy, which was subsequently extended for another three years.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Despite expectations of establishing a sustainable service, 2027 may be the final year of the Cyprus – Greece, if the subsidy is not renewed, according to the company’s CEO, who states that “we haven’t managed to make the route viable, and the reason is that there isn’t as much demand as you see in Greece, where people use ferries to travel to the islands.”
Noting that the passenger service runs from late May through early September, he added that “In June we have about 100 passengers per trip, in July 200 to 250 passengers, while the ship is fully booked in August alone.” He also noted that tomorrow, Saturday, the “AF Marina” will set sail from the port of Limassol with 380 passengers—the largest number it has carried this season.
“You can’t have a viable route with just three months,” he continued, adding that, for that to happen, “you’d have to ensure that during the other nine months, when the route isn’t operating in Cyprus, the ship works somewhere else, but since you don’t have the flexibility to transport cargo or anything else, you can see that it won’t work.”
At the same time, he noted that, should there be an intention to continue the subsidy and launch a new bidding process, factors arising from current developments—which create additional problems for such a project—must be taken into account.
For example, he cited the fact that, at the end of 2029, the temporary exemption for coastal vessels from EU carbon dioxide emission charges will expire, and noted that “as a result, you will have to pay a pollution fine, so any potential government subsidy will need to be increased.”
Furthermore, he continued, the fuel price increases currently being recorded are a deterrent to attracting interested parties to a new bidding process “unless a provision is included that would adjust the subsidy in the event of a rise in fuel prices.”
Regarding the issue of fuel in particular, the CEO of Scandro Holding Ltd emphasized that it is the biggest concern for the coming year; but he expressed hope that, just as with the price increases following the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, “we will find a way and manage to continue our service in 2027.”
As for this year’s figures, Mr. Manolis said they are roughly on par with last year’s period. Specifically, in 2026, reservations were made for approximately 8,900 passengers, 2,700 vehicles, and 371 pets, while last year’s bookings totaled 8,238 passengers, 2,660 vehicles, and 379 pets.
He also noted that during the route’s five years of operation, most people have come to understand the ship’s role, but noted that there are still some people who believe they will be traveling on a cruise ship rather than a passenger-vehicle ferry.
The “AF Marina’s” final voyage for this season will take place on September 1 from the port of Piraeus.
Source: KYPE
