DP World Limassol welcomed three key ministers yesterday (Thursday, 23 March) in the first official visit of the new government to Limassol port. The main topic of discussion was DP World Limassol’s crucial role in boosting the Limassol port’s competitiveness and turning it into a major commercial and cruise hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Minister of Transport, Mr Alexis Vafeades, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Costas Koumis and Deputy Minister of Shipping, Ms Marina Hadjimanoli, visited DP World Limassol’s facilities and were briefed about the Terminal’s activities and the operator’s efforts to establish Limassol as a key port of choice in the region.
DP World Limassol’s CEO Mr Nawaf Abdulla said: “The ministers’ visit to our terminal today, is testament to the close working relationship we want to maintain with the government, in a bid to establish the country as a leading cruise and trading hub in the region. Being the operator of the country’s main port, DP World Limassol is an important partner of the state and a key stakeholder of the maritime sector and the Cyprus economy. I am confident that by working together, we can turn Limassol port into the port of choice in the Eastern Mediterranean, attracting even more users and global cruise lines”, he added.
The two sides discussed ways to enhance collaboration by implementing a horizontal approach, with the Minister of Transport pointing out that the collective goal is to boost port traffic, further improve the port’s infrastructure and improve turnaround times by facilitating the automation of services in certain operations. On her part, the Deputy Minister of Shipping raised among other things, the upcoming ferry link, and the need to offer services based on the IMO’s International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Moreover, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Costas Koumis, discussed the development of maritime tourism and pledged to collaborate with his shipping counterpart, through a joint committee. He also said that the main aim is to attract more cruise traffic to the country’s ports, by launching discussions with more major companies.