THE CONSTRUCTION of the marina at Ayia Napa has taken a step forward with news that the Ministry of Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism has received a €25 million bank guarantee from M.M. Makronisos Marina Ltd. for the proper execution of the work.
A few days ago permits for the division of the land were approved for the marina’s road network and the infrastructure needed such as parking areas, green spaces and public walkways.
The mayor of Ayia Napa, Yiannis Karousos, expressed his satisfaction with this latest development saying that the submission of the bank guarantee signalled the start of the construction phase of the project. The construction of the marina will provide more than 800 jobs and, when completed, it will need 350 people to manage its operation.
The marina is expected to cost €220 million and will have a capacity of around 600 vessels, with a possibility of mooring large yachts up to 60 metres in length. The project will include residential and commercial developments, a hotel, restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques along with administration offices for its management and operation.
When it’s completed in mid-2018 the marina will be declared official entry point to the Republic.
But the marina has not been without its critics.
A conservation group, Protection of the Natural Coastline, has questioned why the marina cannot be built next to the existing small harbour rather than in the heart of the Ayia Thekla-Liopetri Natura 2000 network, the destruction of which will be irreversible.
Some local residents and business owners are also concerned about the potential impact the new marina will have on the area’s prized beaches.
Thanks for posting this…. Is there a better picture to show more of the area that it will be in…. I can’t tell from the pic where it actually is. Thanks:)
@Nikki lennard on 2015/03/23 at 5:08 pm – check out http://www.makronisosmarina.eu/the_location.html for an aerial view of the marina’s location.
That’s a pity Nigel but not unexpected but Naguib Sawiris might find tourist vessels to dock offshore and use the smaller boats to transfer to the mainland as they do at Abu Simbel in Egypt and other sites where larger ships wouldn’t dare venture too close to.
A big maybe?
I think they need to rethink their strategy slightly. They must build correctly to start with especially if it brings the chance of cruise ship from various destinations.
The plan is correct to make it away from the main Ayia Napa port as this could mean further employment for many within the transport and tourism industry.
I hope Naguib Sawiris will use his influence to push for the correct planning without the Cypriot interference.
@Blackmagic on 2015/03/20 at 3:46 pm – I don’t believe the marina will be able to take cruise ships, it’s just not big enough.
Delighted with this news. I’ve an apartment in Nissi and this is brilliant. I’d expect good rentals and this will bring a new breed of tourism and a better class of person to a great area.
But no cruise terminal.
Amazing that Cyprus not so long ago was in such dire straits that they helped there self to peoples money , but now they waste £220 million on doing up a harbour. Beggars belief.
Environmental issues aside, we have to hope lessons have been learnt and development will be with minimal impact, this marina will add to the Islands already impressive facilities. Napa together with Limassol and with Larnaca and St. Raphael between them are certainly contributing to the Islands income and are to be commended.
However, and there always is a but, it would be nice if the municipalities would ensure that the surrounding areas are also upgraded and kept clean and free of litter / graffiti / builders fly tipping etc. I know they have tried hard but far more needs to be done to upgrade and make the venturing away from the marina an attractive proposition thereby distributing mariners disposable income into the surrounding economy.