The eagerly awaited ferry link between the ports of Larnaca and Piraeus is set to commence on Saturday, with bookings soaring to 4,300 passengers already, putting the service on the verge of reaching full capacity.

The inauguration of the new maritime route was celebrated during a grand event held at Larnaca port on Wednesday evening. Distinguished guests in attendance included President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou; Minister of Transport, Communications, and Works, Alexis Vafeades; Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis; along with mayors from the Larnaca district and other local dignitaries.

In her address, Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis emphasized that the success of this passenger connection was the culmination of collective efforts. She expressed gratitude to government officials who provided unwavering support and addressed the challenges faced during the entire process, including the daily meetings held to iron out any issues.

"We are delighted that the company's commitment to upgrading the vessel has borne fruit, and we are hopeful that the maritime passenger connection will prove to be sustainable beyond the initial 3 + 3-year contract. The overwhelming support from the public reinforces its importance," Hadjimanolis remarked.

Larnaca Mayor, Andreas Vyras, proudly declared that Larnaca now stands on par with any other city, not only in Cyprus but also worldwide. He expressed confidence that the city will experience an improved quality of life and attract significant investments and projects in the future.

Representing "Scandro Holdings," the ship's owner, Konstantinos Michael pledged to implement their business plan diligently, further solidifying the company's position in the industry while meeting the rising international demands of the sector.

Speaking on behalf of Kition Ocean Holdings Ltd, the company responsible for the redevelopment and operation of Larnaca Port and Marina area, Panos Alexandrou announced the maiden voyage of the "Daleela" ship from Larnaca Port to Piraeus on Saturday, July 29. He acknowledged the challenges they encountered in establishing the Larnaca-Piraeus route but affirmed their determination to ensure that Larnaca does not lag behind any other city, including its port.

Alexandrou highlighted the overwhelming demand for the ferry connection, with families, students, and organized groups eagerly awaiting the opportunity to travel by sea along with their pets and vehicles to and from Piraeus. A remarkable total of 4,300 reservations have already been made for the 16 Larnaca-Piraeus routes, with an additional 100 pets and over 1,700 vehicles expected to be transported. The vessel's overall capacity for these 16 routes this year is 4,600 individuals, he stated, and it is anticipated that all routes will operate at maximum capacity until reservations are completed.

The commencement of the Larnaca-Piraeus ferry service marks an exciting new chapter in maritime connectivity and promises to facilitate seamless travel between the two ports, benefitting both travelers and the regional economy alike.