This time, the submission of bids for the open European tender for the selection of a contractor for the Cyprus-Piraeus ferry line was successfully completed. In its announcement, the Ministry of Shipping states that the contracting maritime carrier will perform the maritime transport of passengers between Cyprus and Greece within the framework of the General Economic Interest Service, based on the union rules. It is recalled that the tender was announced on November 25, 2021 through the website of the Public Procurement Directorate of the General Accounting Office eProcurement. According to information, the companies that submitted their interest are SCANDRO HOLDING LTD, NY BUSINESS TIES LTD and KIARA NAFTIKI ETAIRIA. “The submitted bids will be submitted immediately before the Evaluation Committee, which was appointed in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation for evaluation, in order to award the bid as soon as possible,” the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.
The result is considered extremely positive by the competent bodies and especially by the Ministry of Shipping, since the interest of the three companies shows that the provisions of the tender that had been set a few months ago were successful, in order to attract the corresponding interest. The goal, now, is with the completion of the evaluation, by next May to sign the contracts with the successful bidder and the line to start, after 21 years.
It is recalled that the previous tender of the Ministry of Shipping to attract ferry companies that would operate the Cyprus – Piraeus route had failed, as no interest had arisen. However, in recent months, government officials have had regular contacts with relevant bodies, where bullets were fired to form a complete picture before the decision on the open tender was made. At the same time, there were contacts with technocrats in Brussels to create the right background, so that any incentive included in the tender would not be subject to breaches of European state aid rules.
The above point was also mentioned by the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Dimitriadis, who with his statements attributed the attraction of interest from carriers to the renegotiation of the terms with the European Commission and the redesign of the tender document.
Mr. Dimitriadis said that the bids submitted before the beginning of next week will be presented before the Evaluation Committee, which was appointed in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation for evaluation, in order to award the bid as soon as possible. The award is expected to take place at the end of February and the beginning of March, and according to the Deputy Minister of Shipping, the sea transport of passengers will start either in April or in May. It is noted that it is left to the carrier to be selected whether to use the port of Limassol or Larnaca.
