Cyprus’ passenger ferry service to Greece will continue through 2027, but the government will decide next year whether state support should continue from 2028, according to Deputy Shipping Ministry Director Kyriakos Aliouris.
The current contract, which began in 2022 and was initially agreed for three years with an option for another three, has been extended through 2027. Aliouris said the operator remains obliged to provide the service under the existing terms.
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“There is no issue at the moment,” he said, stressing that the sea connection between Cyprus and Greece will operate normally next year.
Demand Remains A Challenge
The route’s longer-term future remains uncertain. Scandro Holding Ltd Chief Executive Charalambos Manoli has warned that 2027 could be its final year without continued state support if passenger demand does not increase enough to make the service financially sustainable.
Operating from late May to early September, the ferry carries around 100 passengers per sailing in June and 200-250 in July, while most sailings are full only in August.
“You can’t run a sustainable line for three months,” Manoli said, pointing to the need for the vessel to generate revenue beyond the peak season.
Government To Review The Route
Aliouris said the subsidy was initially introduced because there was no reliable data on demand. After five years of operation, the ministry now has enough information to assess the route’s performance.
Passenger traffic has increased year on year, while the service also caters to people unable or unwilling to fly, as well as travellers taking vehicles or pets to Greece.
Bookings in 2026 reached around 8,900 passengers, 2,700 vehicles and 371 pets, compared with 8,238 passengers, 2,660 vehicles and 379 pets in 2025.
Fuel costs and future EU carbon charges will also factor into any decision on further support. Aliouris said any new subsidy would need to reflect market and regional conditions at the time. The final sailing of the 2026 season is scheduled for September 1 from Piraeus.
