The Environmental Authority has approved the revised plan for the expansion of the Limassol Port – Terminal 2 (Vasilikos), subject to five specific conditions, Brief reports.

As stipulated in the approval, the project can proceed under the following conditions:

1. Adherence to Design and Environmental Measures: The project must follow the proposed design, including measures for environmental protection outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment Study.

2. Implementation of Environmental Study Terms: The terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Study's annex must be applied.

3. Submission of Compliance Report Before Construction: A detailed Compliance Report aligning with the Environmental Impact Assessment Study must be submitted before construction begins. This includes investigating and determining the best dredging methods and disposal of dredged materials, subject to approval from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and the Department of Environment. Additionally, an appropriate environmental monitoring program must be established.

4. Revised Environmental Monitoring Measurements: Revised baseline measurements for environmental monitoring, as outlined in the approved Environmental Impact Assessment Study and the Environmental Approval terms, must be submitted before construction and before the project becomes operational.

5. Compliance Report with Environmental Terms: A Compliance Report adhering to environmental conditions must be submitted before construction and operational commencement.

The Environmental Approval, valid for five years, includes provisions for imposing additional conditions based on the results of environmental monitoring and supervision reports. These conditions may relate to complementarity with other Projects of Common Interest, suggestions from involved departments, services, stakeholders, or other port projects and activities in the Vasilikos area.

The authority emphasizes prioritizing environmental management and protection works, ensuring budget allocations from the project's funding.

Following the Environmental Impact Assessment Study, the Cyprus Ports Authority modified the design for the Limassol Port expansion, including changes in the port's operational scope and physical structure. Key alterations include extending the breakwater, modifying the southern revetment width, and increasing the approach channel's curvature radius.

The primary goal of the project is to extend the port to provide safe and efficient services, including:

• Maintaining existing cargo loads

• Serving hydrocarbon and energy sector vessels, primarily in the Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt region

• Supporting development projects in the area

• Creating open and closed storage spaces for cargo

• Facilitating ships for crew changes, flag changes, and provisions supply

The main components of the project include various constructions and extensions of breakwaters, quays, and revetments, alongside deepening the new harbor basin and entrance channel.