€2 Million Fund Sought To Tackle Nicosia’s Dangerous Buildings

by News Editor

August 18, 2026

Hundreds Of Properties Still Need Action Across The District

Nicosia’s District Local Government Organisation (DLGO) is seeking access to around €2 million to deal with dangerous buildings across the district.

DLGO president Konstantinos Giorkatzis said the organisation is waiting for the Interior Ministry to provide instructions on how to apply for the funding. The money was initially approved for Nicosia Municipality through the Fund for the Revitalisation of Border Areas, but responsibility transferred to the DLGO following the local government reform.

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Authorities have already begun inspecting properties together. Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos said the municipality’s existing register is helping accelerate the process. The municipality is responsible for nuisance-related issues, while the DLGO handles buildings classified as dangerous.

656 Buildings Classified As Dangerous

A key challenge arises when a property is both dangerous and a public nuisance. In such cases, municipal staff cannot intervene because of the potential risks, including health and fire hazards.

The DLGO has sent notices to owners of dangerous or poorly maintained buildings, asking them to carry out the necessary repairs. Further action will depend on how owners respond.

The latest register lists 656 dangerous buildings and 55 properties requiring repairs across the district. Of these, 171 dangerous buildings and 28 buildings needing repairs are located within Nicosia’s municipal district.

ETEK Sets Up Advisory Committee

The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) has established a three-member committee to advise on cases involving disputed assessments of dangerous buildings.

According to ETEK president Konstantinos Konstanti, the committee will help DLGOs deal with disagreements over engineers’ findings and potentially resolve cases without resorting to court proceedings.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Europe’s Busiest Ports Show The Scale Of Maritime Trade

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 7, 2026

Maritime transport carried roughly 13 billion tonnes of goods worldwide in 2024, highlighting its central role in global trade and supply chains. EU ports handled about 3.4 billion tonnes, or 26% of the global total, while nearly 90% of the bloc’s external freight trade is carried by sea.

Rotterdam And Antwerp-Bruges Lead The EU

Rotterdam was the EU’s busiest port in 2024, handling 397.3 million tonnes of goods. Antwerp-Bruges ranked second with 243.7 million tonnes, putting the two northern European hubs well ahead of the rest.

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Hamburg ranked third at 97 million tonnes, followed by Spain’s Algeciras at 81.5 million tonnes and Amsterdam at 78.8 million tonnes. France’s HAROPA port complex, covering Le Havre and Rouen, handled 76.6 million tonnes, while Gdansk recorded 71 million tonnes.

Marseille and Valencia followed with 66 million and 64.5 million tonnes, respectively. Romania’s Constanta completed the top 10 at 57.6 million tonnes, reflecting the Black Sea’s role in Europe’s wider trade network.

Europe’s Second Tier Of Major Ports

Several ports handled between 40 million and 56 million tonnes in 2024. Barcelona recorded 55.5 million tonnes, followed by Trieste at 53.5 million, Genoa at 47.4 million and Sines at 44.1 million.

Piraeus handled 43.7 million tonnes, while Germany’s Bremerhaven recorded 42.5 million. Sweden’s Göteborg handled 38.5 million tonnes and Dunkerque in France 36.8 million.

Netherlands Leads By National Port Volume

Looking at total cargo across each country’s ports, the Netherlands ranked first with 538.1 million tonnes in 2024. Italy followed with 488.6 million tonnes and Spain with 486 million tonnes, putting all three well ahead of the rest of the EU.

Belgium ranked fourth at 274.9 million tonnes, followed by Germany at 273.9 million and France at 269.8 million. Greece, Sweden and Poland each handled more than 100 million tonnes, showing the breadth of Europe’s maritime network.

Turkey Expands The Regional Picture

Including EU candidate countries and EFTA members puts Turkey in second place with 524.7 million tonnes, behind the Netherlands. Norway ranked eighth with 212.1 million tonnes and handled 212.1 million tonnes.

The European Commission has described maritime transport as a long-standing driver of European economic development. Its role now extends beyond moving cargo, with ports increasingly tied to supply chains, energy security and industrial policy.

In March 2026, the Commission adopted two strategies focused on competitiveness, sustainability, security and resilience across the EU’s waterborne sector, including ports, shipping and shipbuilding.

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