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Latsi Port Expansion: Pioneering Cyprus’ First Green Maritime Hub

Project Overview

By June 2026, the Latsi Port in the Paphos district is set to undergo a major expansion. The project, announced by Anthimos Christodoulides, General Manager of the Cyprus Ports Authority (ΜCW), will commence with significant infrastructure works. The initiative includes the creation of approximately 184 new berthing positions and the development of around 4,500 square meters of extensive waterfront support facilities. These new installations will feature dedicated maintenance and repair bays, dining and recreational areas, offices, and facilities for hosting government services.

Green Port Initiative

In a landmark move for sustainability, the Latsi Port project is poised to become the first “green” port in Cyprus. The development will integrate circular economy practices, efficient waste management, and the utilization of renewable energy sources to minimize environmental impact. The emphasis on environmentally friendly methodologies underscores the project’s role not only in enhancing local maritime operations but also in setting a new standard for sustainable port infrastructure in the region.

Regulatory Approvals Underway

The project has already advanced through crucial stages of regulatory review. Key environmental assessments, including the Special Ecological Assessment Study and the Environmental Impact Assessment, have been submitted and are currently being evaluated by the appropriate governmental departments. The next step involves presenting the project to the General Accounting Office for approval, which will be followed by an open tender process for contractor selection.

Community Engagement and Strategic Importance

Robust public consultations have been conducted with both local residents and the City of Chrysochous, addressing environmental concerns and overall project functionality. With an estimated investment of €52 million—funded entirely through the reserves of the Cyprus Ports Authority—the project is set to bolster not only the development of Latsi but also the broader strategic advancement of Cyprus’ maritime infrastructure. Concurrently, developments at the Vassilikos Port further underline the country’s commitment to modernizing its seaport facilities.

Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

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