Exclusive: “Alpha on Sunday” reveals the critical study, its provisions, and the potential risks  

On Thursday, July 2, the Ports Authority and the Municipality of Larnaca presented the Roadmap for the development and management of the Port, Larnaca Marina, and the adjacent land areas. A guide that appears to have been in the hands of the authorities for days. And while it sets a deadline for the project’s completion in 2045, no one seemed surprised by this, despite the fact that business circles insist that the port should be completed before 2045. What has caused serious concern, however, is the cost—not so much the initial estimate (€415 million) but the potential for a 50% increase. 

Initial reactions from Larnaca officials  

“Alpha on Sunday” spoke with the President of the EOA, Angelos Hatzicharalambous, who expressed satisfaction with the initial organizational chart and the plan presented to them. 

As he clarified, this is a good effort, considering the time the Authority had at its disposal. The goal, he said, is to build on these and begin work immediately. Regarding the 20 years it will take to complete the procedures, he noted that, based on what lies ahead, the port is what will cause the delay. He clarified that if the people of Larnaca can have the marina and the land areas —which will be developed for commercial use—they will be in agreement.  

As for the development of the Port, which has been a source of tension, he said it will be shaped based on the uses specified by the city’s development committee. 

Initial comments from business leaders  

On the other hand, business organizations—which have also expressed interest in investing in the area—insist that the port must be completed before 2045.  

Speaking to “Alpha on Sunday,” Stavros Stavrou, president of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE), who attended last Thursday’s presentation, pointed out that what they saw was an exceptional effort given the tight timeframe (1.5 months) they had to carry it out. He clarified that this is not a master plan but an initial outline. There is, he said, still a lot of work to be done on paper before construction can begin. 

As for the two sticking points—time and money — he replied that the Port Authority appears to have built in much more leeway to be on the safe side, given the track record of other ambitious projects. 

He noted optimistically that the subprojects (a, b, c) will proceed in parallel. Meanwhile, regarding the land expropriations that were discussed as necessary for the road network, he said there is ultimately no need for them. 

We also presented Mr. Stavros with the risk scenarios outlined in the Road Map and asked him about them. However, he made it clear to us that this is not something he is currently considering. 

The entire Roadmap, exclusively on Alpha on Sunday. 

https://www.alphanews.live/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/odikos-xartis.pdf

In the Roadmap obtained by “Alpha on Sunday,” the Ports Authority includes the following section: 

Disclaimer 

The Roadmap was prepared based on the information and data available at the time of its drafting and reflects the Cyprus Ports Authority’s objective assessment of the availabledata and is intended exclusively for strategic planning purposes. 

 The implementation of the proposed actions and the achievement of the intended results depend on factors that may change and are beyond the control of the Cyprus Ports Authority, andrequire the completion of the following actions:  

(a) that full ownership of the land area falling within the development zone of the Port and Marina of Larnaca will be transferred to the Cyprus Ports Authority and the required title deeds, 

(b) that the Larnaca Port Lease Agreement dated 19.November 2020 between the Cyprus Ports Authority and the Republic of Cyprus, through the Council of Ministers, in accordance with its terms and provisions,  

(c) that the necessary legislative and regulatory actions will be completed to designate a “Port Area” of the Larnaca Marina waterfront, which to date has not been designated as such,  

(d) that the necessary legislative amendments to the Law on the Regulation of Marinas (4/1977) will be completed, so that the institutional framework of the Marina is updated and the Cyprus Ports Authority becomes the sole entity responsible for the development and management of the Project. 

Table of Risks and Mitigation Measures 

It also presents the following detailed table of potential risks 

Finally, “Alpha tis Kyriakis” also contacted sources at the Ministry of Transport, asking about the two specific points (time and money) that generated the most interest. What was said is that the ministry will now limit itself to its institutional role, offering recommendations and observations, and nothing more. This, as we’ve been informed, is directly related to the upcoming cabinet reshuffle and is something that should give the President of the Republic pause, what happens when the ministries set to change hands are called upon to manage major and vital issues. Are we leaving them to the mercy of God until the next ministers take over? 

A major issue also appears to be emerging with the Department of the Environment; however, Sunday’s edition of Alpha will revisit the topic in a later issue.