Cyprus Strengthens Strategic Maritime Partnership with Finland

Expanding Maritime Collaboration

In a decisive move to deepen maritime relations, Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis spearheaded a high-level visit to Helsinki. As part of an official delegation led by President Nikos Christodoulides, Hadjimanolis joined the Cyprus Maritime Commission from May 21 to 23, marking a significant milestone in Cyprus’s strategic outreach within the global shipping arena.

Business Forum and Sectoral Innovations

The visit was anchored by a prominent maritime business forum that convened influential figures from both the Cypriot and Finnish maritime sectors. The joint statement from the two nations outlined a comprehensive agenda covering digitalisation, alternative fuels, cybersecurity, maritime education, and gender equality. This collaboration is expected to bolster initiatives that drive sustainability and enhance participation of women in the maritime industry.

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Strategic Bilateral Engagements

On the sidelines of the forum, Hadjimanolis engaged in a bilateral meeting with Minna Kivimäki, Director General of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications. This discussion built upon earlier dialogues, notably the meeting with Minister Lulu Ranne in Brussels last March, reinforcing a continued dialogue between the two countries. President Nikos Christodoulides’s discussions with Finnish political leaders, including notable comments by President Alexander Stubb on the critical role of Cypriot shipping, underscored Cyprus’s pivotal position in global maritime commerce.

Technological Advancements and Sustainable Shipping

During her Helsinki itinerary, the Deputy Minister toured Polaris, a modern icebreaker operated by ARCTIA Shipping, which plays a crucial role in maintaining Finnish port operations during harsh winter conditions. In addition, a meeting with Wartsilä President Roger Holm further emphasized the importance of compliance with European and international regulations aimed at reducing gas emissions. These discussions highlighted the development of advanced technologies and alternative fuels that support a green, sustainable future for the shipping industry.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

€50 Million Luxury Resort Planned For Ayia Napa

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 22, 2026

Ayia Napa could strengthen its position in the premium tourism market with a proposed €50 million mixed-use resort combining a hotel, serviced apartments, luxury bungalows and a beach club.

Aesara Investments Ltd has submitted an information form to the Department of Environment for a development to operate under the name Atlantica Wavemaster Hospitality. The project is planned for the Limnara area of Ayia Napa, along the coast south of Kryou Nerou Avenue, between the town centre and Cape Greco.

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Hotel, Apartments And Luxury Bungalows

The proposed resort will include a 324-room hotel with capacity for 648 guests, alongside a condo-hotel building containing 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Facilities are planned to include restaurants, bars, cafés, a spa with an indoor pool, a gym, shops, a multipurpose hall, a children’s club and a cinema.

A further 33 three-level luxury bungalows, each designed for two guests and featuring a private swimming pool, are planned for the southern part of the site. A beach club with a restaurant and an outdoor pool complex covering more than 6,300 square metres will also form part of the development.

The project includes 321 parking spaces, including 12 for people with disabilities, and 14,196 square metres of landscaped green space featuring local plant species.

Seasonal Hotel Operations And Year-Round Residences

The hotel is expected to operate from March to November, with peak occupancy during the summer season. The condo-hotel apartments, meanwhile, will be available for sale or long-term rental and intended for year-round residence. Owners and tenants will also have access to the resort’s facilities, including its pools, restaurants and fitness areas.

Construction is expected to take 24 months once the required permits are secured. At the busiest stage, the project could employ around 100 workers per day.

Environmental Restrictions Near Cape Greco

The site’s proximity to protected Natura 2000 areas has prompted strict environmental requirements. The Cape Greco Special Protection Area borders the site to the south, while a Special Area of Conservation lies approximately 50 metres away.

Conditions imposed by the Department of Environment include a maximum building height of five floors, or 18.5 metres, and restrictions on permanent structures near the coastline. The project must also use spider-web type glazing and low-intensity lighting to minimise disturbance to local birdlife.

According to the project’s consultants, the design has been prepared to comply with the environmental conditions and the final report on cumulative impacts for the Cape Greco Special Protection Area. The hotel and apartment building are positioned in the central and northern parts of the plot, away from the shoreline.

Within the designated no-build zone, located 40 metres from the boundary of the beach protection zone, only swimming pools are planned. The consultants state that these are not expected to affect protected species in the area.

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